Embu Protest Hijacked By Criminal Elements, Police Says

By Staff Writer

Police believe a protest near Ishara Level 4 Hospital in Embu County was infiltrated and hijacked by criminal elements, sparking violence that left two people dead and disrupted operations.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, after residents of Evurore Ward held a demonstration against the hospital, which had been formally communicated to police as peaceful.

According to the National Police Service, the protest began calmly before degenerating into criminal acts, with individuals engaging in violence that led to injuries among bystanders and damage to nearby businesses.

“Any loss of life is something that the Service takes great exception to, as one life lost is one too many,” the National Police Service spokesman Muchiri Nyaga said.

Officers deployed to restore order reportedly encountered groups armed with stones and other crude weapons, intensifying clashes and complicating efforts to contain the situation.

Authorities maintain that the unrest was driven by individuals who were not part of the original demonstrators, effectively derailing the protest’s intent and escalating tensions around the health facility.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority notified to ensure an independent and transparent review of events surrounding the fatalities.

Police have urged the public to share any relevant information through official reporting channels, including toll free emergency numbers and anonymous communication platforms to support the inquiry.

“It shall work closely with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and asks for the public’s cooperation in getting to the bottom of this incident,” Muchiri stated.