The National Police Service has clarified a viral video showing a police officer holding laptops during Tuesday’s protests in Nairobi, saying the items had been recovered from looted shops and are being held as evidence.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the NPS said the video was recorded on June 17 during anti-government protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District, where several businesses were broken into and items stolen. Police arrested one suspect and recovered four laptops, which are now at the Central Police Station.

“We urge anyone whose premises were broken into and had laptops stolen to visit the Central Police Station to identify the recovered items,” the statement read.

The police said investigations are ongoing to trace and arrest all those involved in the looting and destruction that took place during the protests. NPS also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and upholding law and order during periods of unrest.

The statement comes amid public debate sparked by footage showing an officer carrying the laptops. Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris weighed in, cautioning against spreading misleading information about the police.

“I spoke to Regional Police Commander George Seda. The laptops looted from the electronics shop were recovered and are safely in police custody,” she said. “The laptops seen in the officer’s possession had been recovered, not taken away unlawfully.”

Passaris urged the public and media not to erode trust in the police through misrepresentation.

The protests on June 17 were sparked by outrage over the death of teacher and social media influencer Albert Ojwang’. Demonstrators demanded justice and accountability.

Tensions rose in the CBD as police used teargas to disperse crowds. Groups of armed youths, some on motorbikes and carrying wooden clubs, were seen marching through the city center, adding to the chaos.