The National Police Service (NPS) has issued a statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding a viral video that showed uniformed police officers carrying laptops during the June 17 protests in Nairobi.
The footage had sparked public outrage, with many Kenyans alleging that officers were looting vandalized shops during the demonstrations. However, according to a press statement released by NPS Spokesperson Mchiri Nyaga, the laptops were recovered from a suspect arrested in connection with the break-ins.
“Police officers arrested one suspect and recovered four laptops, which are now in safe custody as exhibits at the Central Police Station, Nairobi,” the statement reads.
The NPS further urged shop owners whose businesses were broken into during the chaos to visit the Central Police Station to identify any recovered items. The service confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend more individuals involved in the looting.
“We therefore urge anyone whose premises were broken into and had laptops stolen to visit the station to identify the recovered items,” the statement added.
The June 17 protests, organized to demand justice over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, were marred by violence when suspected hired goons infiltrated the city. Several shops were vandalized and looted in the process.
In defense of the police, Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris also came to the officers’ aid, calling out what she termed misleading reporting by local media.
“Nation Media, your headline saying ‘police leave with laptops’ is misleading. The right word is ‘recovered,’ not ‘leave.’ Let’s report facts, not fuel mistrust,” Passaris stated after speaking with Nairobi Police Commander.
Despite the NPS’ reassurance, critics—including the Law Society of Kenya—have raised concerns over the police’s conduct during the protests. LSK says it is in possession of testimony alleging that police were working in concert with criminal gangs that attacked civilians.
Nonetheless, the National Police Service reiterated its commitment to its constitutional mandate of protecting life and property and said that those responsible for criminal activity during the protests would face the full force of the law.
