What began as a peaceful demonstration in Kikuyu, Kiambu County on Wednesday quickly escalated into violence, with police reporting the theft of five firearms and the arrest of 25 individuals linked to the chaos.

A police report reveals that the protest, which was part of the Gen Z-led nationwide demonstrations, turned violent after a group of hired individuals blocked sections of the Southern Bypass and Old Kikuyu Road using stones and burning tires.

The group was allegedly ferried in from Limuru and Kiambu using three lorries.

“Consequently, KPS, APS, and DCI jointly engaged the rioters, whose number increased to approximately 10,000 rioters. Police officers were overpowered, forcing the SCPC to seek reinforcement from the Kiambu County Headquarters,” the report stated.

Security officers, including Administration Police, regular police, and prison personnel from Kiambu and Murang'a counties, were called in to contain the unrest. However, before they could fully restore order, several government properties had been set on fire.

Among the buildings torched were the Kikuyu Law Courts, County Government offices, Dagoretti Police Post, and the Deputy County Commissioner’s office.

During the attack at Dagoretti police post, the rioters managed to steal five firearms — two AK-47 rifles, a G3 rifle, a Jericho pistol, and an anti-riot gun.

Police added that they managed to stop the group from stealing an additional five firearms from the Sub-County APS armoury.

The report further indicated that one person died during the chaos, and five officers were injured. “The rioters took the body of the fatally injured to an unknown place and later approached the Kikuyu Police Station area at around 1800 hours through the link road and abandoned the body at the Kikuyu Police Station main gate,” it said.

According to police, the confrontation persisted until 10:00 pm when the group turned its attention to the nearby Kikuyu Affordable Housing units, vandalising parts of the property. Officers responded and managed to arrest four suspects at the scene.

In total, 25 suspects were arrested, and investigations are ongoing to track down the rest of those involved.