Fourteen people arrested over the violence that rocked Kisumu and Nyahururu on Sunday have been arraigned in court, the National Police Service (NPS) has said.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 13, the police said the suspects were presented before court to face various charges linked to the unrest that disrupted businesses and public order in the two towns.
The service said investigations are still ongoing and warned that anyone found to have participated in the violence will be brought to justice.
The arrests stem from two separate incidents that unfolded in Kisumu and Nyahururu during political activities attended by opposition leaders.
In Kisumu, chaos erupted near St. Stephen’s ACK Cathedral, where a church service attended by leaders allied to the Linda Mwananchi movement, including Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, was underway.
According to police, a group of individuals attempted to force their way into the church compound, sparking violent confrontations that left one person dead, several others injured and property destroyed.
Nine motorcycles were also set ablaze during the unrest.
In Nyahururu, violence broke out after a Linda Mwananchi rally was disrupted by stone throwing. Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata later claimed his driver had been shot during the chaos.
However, the National Police Service disputed the claim, saying preliminary investigations found no evidence of a shooting and maintained that the driver sustained injuries during the stone throwing incident before receiving treatment.
“The National Police Service will not tolerate violence, hooliganism or any disruption of public peace. Those who choose chaos will be met with the full force of the law,” the police said.
The service added that officers remain on high alert to protect lives, businesses and public property, insisting that criminal elements will not be allowed to exploit political gatherings to cause destruction.
Police also appealed to members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by reporting anyone planning or engaging in criminal activities through the nearest police station, the emergency numbers 999 and 911, the DCI’s Fichua Kwa DCI hotline and the anonymous WhatsApp reporting platform.
The arraignment of the 14 suspects marks the first court action arising from Sunday’s violence, as authorities intensify investigations into those behind the clashes in Kisumu and Nyahururu.