Githurai protests: Police say 20 officers injured by youth, vehicle burnt down

A police car was burned and 20 officers injured on Tuesday evening in an exchange with protesters in Kiambu County’s Githurai area.

This followed day-long demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024 as residents took to the streets in solidarity with other protesters countrywide.

Residents say the marches, which took place mostly along the Thika Superhighway, turned chaotic after officers lobbed tear gas at peaceful protesters, making them charge back at the police.

Police however say the group of an estimated 6,000 protesters lit a fire on the road and turned down the police commander’s request that they disperse.

A police report filed at Mwiki Police Station says the crowd began pelting the officers with stones.

“Tear gas was fired to disperse them but they overpowered the officers and the officers withdrew,” police say.

The crowd is then said to have blocked the road with an electricity pole, cut off a police Land Cruiser from the convoy and burned it down. Two other police pick-up trucks were vandalised.

“As the officers were retreating, the rioters followed them to Githurai Mwiki police station. They wanted to overrun the station but they were overpowered and they retreated,” reads the report.

Police said all the injured officers were treated in various health centres and discharged.

Residents allege that tear gas filled the air and people’s houses in the Githurai 45 area late in the evening, forcing them to get out. They say they also heard gunshot sounds late into the night.

Citizen Digital is following up on the reports.