The government has deployed a special investigative team to Siakago Town in Mbeere North, Embu County, after two days of violence left several businesses in ruins and a number of residents nursing injuries.
Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, addressing a tense community meeting at the Mbeere North Deputy County Commissioner’s Grounds, vowed that everyone behind the unrest would be brought to book.
“No one will be spared. Any officer found to have abetted or ignored these crimes will face the full force of the law,” he warned, making it clear that even public servants and police officers were not above scrutiny.
Ruku also took aim at corruption in the police service, condemning allegations that officers demanded bribes nicknamed “a pen” or “writing material” before helping victims of crime. “This is unacceptable. Public officers are entrusted to serve with integrity, not to extort citizens,” he said.
His comments followed disturbing accounts from locals. Businessman Peter Mutiru, whose hardware store was among those torched, said CCTV footage captured police shielding the attackers.
He put his losses at nearly Ksh 5 million. Others spoke of dishonest muguka traders who disappeared without paying for supplies, deepening the economic damage.
The CS noted that the state had invested heavily in local infrastructure, including rehabilitating the Siakago Police Station, and would not tolerate negligence and misconduct on the part of its officers.
The new investigation team is to begin work immediately, with locals hoping the investigation will bring justice and restore faith in law enforcement.
Ruku urged the people to remain peaceful and united, and that unity and peace were necessary for the region’s stability and growth.
