Police have recovered CCTV footage showing the moment protesters fled with a firearm that was allegedly snatched from a police officer during anti-fuel price demonstrations in Wote, Makueni County.
The incident occurred on Monday, May 18, during protests against rising fuel prices that were witnessed in several parts of the country.
According to the footage reviewed by investigators on Tuesday, May 19, a man dressed in a yellow t-shirt, brown trousers, a beanie, and a face mask was seen running while carrying what appeared to be a rifle.
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Other protesters could be seen cheering him on and directing him where to escape.
Another protester wearing blue jeans and an Arsenal jersey was also captured closely following the suspect, seemingly trying to get a clearer view of the stolen firearm.
Preliminary reports indicate that the firearm belonged to an anti-riot police officer who had been deployed to contain the demonstrations in Wote town.
The officer was reportedly attacked and injured by protesters before the firearm was taken.
Police in Makueni County have since launched a manhunt for the suspects involved in the incident and appealed to members of the public to provide any information that could assist in recovering the weapon and arresting those responsible.
The protests in Wote also turned destructive after demonstrators allegedly torched United Democratic Alliance (UDA) offices in the town.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the incident, terming it a criminal act.
Murkomen further alleged that a political leader sponsored goons to orchestrate the attack on the party offices and revealed that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had launched investigations into the matter.
The nationwide fuel protests left at least four people dead, while hundreds of demonstrators were arrested in different regions across the country.
Meanwhile, the Interior CS earlier announced that the ongoing matatu strike had been suspended for seven days to pave way for consultations between the government and stakeholders in the public transport sector.
However, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua dismissed the suspension as a diversionary tactic, insisting that Kenyans should continue pushing for their rights until the government addresses their grievances.