A man has been arrested in Nyeri, and police have recovered several items believed to have been looted from Naivas Supermarket during the violent protests that rocked the country on June 25, 2025.
In a statement shared by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the person of interst was found in possession of a washing machine, a 43-inch Vitron television, and a remote control, all confirmed to have been stolen from the Nyeri branch of Naivas Supermarket.
“Law enforcement officers from Nyeri Central have arrested the person of interest and recovered several stolen items in his possession, including a washing machine, a 43-inch Vitron television, and a remote control. The items were looted from Naivas Supermarket in Nyeri on June 25, 2025. The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing processing pending arraignment,” the statement read.
More arrests
This comes after over 150 individuals were arrested and arraigned following a countrywide crackdown targeting looters and criminals who took advantage of last week’s protests to cause chaos.
According to DCI, the protests, which had started peacefully as demonstrations against government policies, quickly turned violent. Criminals took advantage of the unrest to loot businesses, torch buildings, and attack security officers.
The DCI noted in a statement issued on July 1, 2025, that dozens of suspects had already been taken to court, with more arrests expected as investigations continue.
In Kiambu County, a total of 85 suspects were presented before the Thika Law Courts, 56 of them arrested from Juja Police Station and 29 others from Thika Police Station. Another individual appeared virtually before the Ruiru Law Courts.
In other counties, 32 suspects were arraigned in Murang’a, 15 in Ol Kalou, 10 in Kisii, and 9 in Bungoma.
“As investigations into the violent protests that erupted on June 25, 2025, continue, more suspects have been arraigned. In Thika, Kiambu County, a total of 85 suspects have been presented before the Thika Law Courts, comprising 56 suspects from Juja Police Station and 29 from Thika Police Station,” the statement read in part.
Adding;
“Additionally, in Ruiru, another suspect appeared virtually before the Ruiru Law Courts. Similarly, 32 suspects, 15 suspects, 10 suspects, and 9 suspects have been arraigned before the courts in Murang’a, Ol Kalou, Kisii, and Bungoma, respectively.”
Elsewhere, police operations in Nairobi and other parts of the country led to more arrests and the recovery of stolen goods.
In Mbeere South and Kiritiri, two women were arrested after police recovered a white metal-cased water tank stolen from Kiritiri Market.
In Nairobi’s Kikuyu and Dagoretti areas, detectives intercepted a Nissan matatu believed to have been used to ferry rioters from Gachui-Mutuini to Dagoretti Centre. Inside the vehicle, four suspects were arrested.
One of the suspects, identified only as Kariuki, was allegedly captured on CCTV carrying a stolen police firearm. The group was also found in possession of looted goods and is accused of stealing police uniforms, attacking officers, and torching a police post.
Meanwhile, in Maai Mahiu, Naivasha Sub-County, seven people were arrested after police recovered stolen items from the Transit Hotel. The items included two curtains, three pillowcases with pillows, a curtain rod, and two large cooking sufurias.
All 20 suspects from the Dagoretti and Naivasha operations are in police custody and are expected to face charges including theft, arson, destruction of property, and unlawful possession of police gear.
The DCI says investigations are still ongoing and more suspects will be arrested in the coming days. They stressed that the crackdown is part of a larger effort to restore law and order following the widespread destruction witnessed last week.
