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Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, reacted to the brazen looting of business and motorists in Mathare and along Thika Road.
In several videos shared online, a large group of youth were seen ransacking motorists, robbing some shops within the area and others extending the operations within Thika Road.
In one of the viral videos, a public service vehicle was stopped and the rowdy youth robbed the passengers.
The incident happened hours after President William Ruto toured Mathare to launch various projects.
PS reactions
Speaking to a local radio station, he explained that the security officers were expected to contain the situation by protecting property and the people.
He, however, noted that security officers need to strike a balance in such a scenario where a large group of people are involved in criminal activities.
Omollo made it clear that the use of excessive force could amount to the violation of basic human rights.
“In the case yesterday where Kenyans were robbed, we have a responsibility to contain that and while trying to do that, we must be able to do it in a manner that has a balance,” Omollo stated.
“A balance in the sense that we have the responsibility to maintain security and secure Kenyans and their property, while at it, we are also faced with how we deal with criminals. Otherwise, we may fall into the realm of going against fundamental human rights,” he added.
By the time of this publication, the National Police Service had not issued a statement regarding the incident which left residents and motorists counting massive losses.
Ruto, while at St. Teresa Girls Secondary School in Mathare, committed to building an additional ten classrooms and later broke ground for the construction of Mabatini Primary School.
“We are expanding and modernizing schools, especially in marginalized and densely populated regions, to accommodate more students and enhance equality across the country,” Ruto stated.
