Detectives arrested Utawala Ward MCA Patrick Karani and two other men over allegations of mobilising groups ahead of the planned June 25, 2026 Gen Z demonstrations.
According to police, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Operations Unit arrested Karani at around 3:00 p.m. on Monday at his office at Roosters along Thika Superhighway.
He was reportedly in the company of Stanley Njogu and Stephen Kimathi.
Police allege that intelligence reports linked the trio to the mobilisation of individuals through various social media platforms in preparation for the planned demonstrations.
Investigators say Karani and Njogu are expected to face charges of preparation to commit a felony, while Kimathi is expected to be charged with being in possession of a firearm without a valid firearm certificate.
The suspects were detained as investigations continue ahead of their expected arraignment in court.
Authorities have ramped up operations to tame plans for the demonstrations to commemorate the June 25, 2024 protests. More than 200 people were killed during the protests against the failed Finance Bill.
Activists plan to visit Parliament on Thursday June 25 to lay flowers in rememberance of those who died in the protests.
Police have vowed to deal with “violent” protesters.
Meanwhile, police in Malindi recovered a stolen licensed firearm and arrested a 14-year-old boy following a pursuit shortly after the weapon was reported stolen.
According to police, the firearm owner reported that on Monday, he parked his Nissan Dayz within his compound in Shella Baobab Village and briefly went into his house, leaving a bag inside the locked vehicle.
The bag contained a licensed CZ 75B pistol loaded with 17 rounds of 9mm ammunition and Sh7,000 in cash.
When he returned about 30 minutes later, he found that the vehicle had been broken into through the right sliding door and the bag had been stolen.
Acting on intelligence, police officers and detectives launched a pursuit and traced a suspect to Muyeye area. Officers said they spotted a 14-year-old boy who allegedly dropped the stolen bag and attempted to flee.
Police recovered the bag and found the pistol still loaded with all 17 rounds of ammunition intact. The suspect was arrested after a chase and taken to Malindi Police Station.
Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) officers documented the scene, while the recovered firearm was secured at the Malindi DCI armoury pending further investigations.
The case remains under investigation, and the minor is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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