Police Deny Claims Of Helping Goons During Azimio Protests

The National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed claims of assisting hired goons to cause chaos during the Azimio la Umoja demonstrations in Nairobi.

In a statement on Thursday, March 30, the NPS termed the claims as propaganda spreading across social media platforms, adding that they are malicious and meant to cause fear among members of the public.

The police force further noted that the claims are a sinister attempt to damage its reputation while implementing law and order in the country.

Police officers along Haile Selassie Avenue in Nairobi during the Azimio la Umoja demonstrations. /FILE

"The National Police Service has noted with serious concern, a lot of propaganda circulating via social media amidst the ongoing Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance demonstrations in Nairobi, the latest being the falsehood that NPS is abetting hired goons to cause mayhem in Nairobi. 

"We wish to bring to the attention of the General public that such unfounded and malicious claims are not only intended to cause unnecessary fear in society but are also deliberate moves meant to tarnish the image of the National Police Service," the statement read in part.

NPS added that it was committed to exercising its mandate according to the Constitution by serving and protecting Kenyans equally and without bias, in adherence to the rule of law.

"As a law enforcement agency, we wish to reiterate our commitment to discharge our Constitutional mandate which is to serve and protect, without fear or favour, while adhering to the rule of law and utmost respect for human rights," added the NPS.

The police hours ago foiled an attempt by unknown individuals to storm Kedong Ranch associated with former President Uhuru Kenyatta at the border of Narok East.

This was first reported by the Movement for Defense of Democracy (MDD), a youth wing affiliated with the Azimio coalition.

"After the Northlands invasion on Monday, goons have been spotted in Kedong ' Ranch Narok County, Kenyatta Family is one of the shareholders. This is now too much!" MDD wrote.

Reports indicated that police on patrol in the area had spotted armed youth breaching the security fence in an attempt to trespass the ranch.

"We received reports that some members of the youth from the neighbouring community planned to invade the more than 75,000-acre expansive land and destroy property. We deployed anti-riot officers from 6 am," County Commissioner Isaac Masinde stated.

Additionally, a contingent of police officers was deployed to Uhuru's rural residence in Ichaweri, Kiambu County, on Thursday, March 30. 

Gatundu South sub-county police commander, Jonathan Koech, confirmed that the officers pitched camp to beef up security at the Kenyatta residence. Three administration police officers armed with rifles and dressed in full combat were captured manning the main entrance, occasionally surveying the vicinity.

Notably, police also heightened security at Azimio principal Marth Karua's residence in Kimunye, Kirinyaga county.