Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has blamed planners of Azimio protests for the wanton destruction of property and looting that accompanied Wednesday's countrywide demonstrations.
In a terse statement issued Wednesday evening, Kindiki said all those who took part, directly or indirectly in the well-orchestrated violation of public safety and security will be punished.
"The Government has tonight mobilised all the law enforcement agencies of the State and the institutions of our country’s criminal justice system to conclude investigations urgently and proceed to the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the planning and execution of the crimes committed today, including those who funded or otherwise aided or abetted the offenders," Kindiki said.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga called for the protests to mount pressure on the Kenya Kwanza government over what he termed as its deliberate adoption of policies that are aimed at punishing Kenyans.
The ODM leader later called off a rally he had planned to hold at the Kamukunji grounds citing intelligence reports that police planned to use live ammunition on protesters.
"Yesterday night, we received intelligence of a very heinous plan by Kenyan Kwanza to ferry goons who would attack peaceful attendees of our rally in Kamukunji. These goons had express order to shoot directly to the crowd while enjoying police protection," Raila said.
He spoke Wednesday afternoon during a press conference at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
Kindiki blamed planners of the protests for all the acts of violence, looting and destruction of public and private property witnessed during the demonstrations.
The CS confirmed that lives had been lost in some places during the countrywide protests with reports indicating that a form three boy was shot in the thigh in Migori town and later died in hospital.
"They lied to the police that they would be holding a peaceful political rally at the Kamukunji grounds, only for them to unleash terror on innocent Kenyans, as a result of which lives have been lost, scores of law enforcement officers and civilians have been grievously injured and unimaginable loss to the Country’s economy have been occasioned," Kindiki said.
During his press conference, Raila blamed the police of instigating violence during Azimio protests.
He said their demonstrations have always been peaceful until security officers deployed on crowd control assignment break them up with bullets and teargas.
"Police have shot, injured and killed protesters in various parts of the country including here in Nairobi. Scores of protesters have been arrested for participating in an exercise that is clearly protected by the Constitution. As usual, it is the police maiming and killing people," Raila said.
Videos circulated online showed protesters lighting bonfires on roads and obstructing traffic.
Several vehicles were burnt to shells in some parts and demonstrators in Mlolongo pulled down barriers and destroyed flower vases on the Nairobi Expressway.
In some parts of Kisumu and Wote town, protesters engaged police in a show of might and pelted them with stones forcing the officers to scamper for safety.
Public service vehicles were in some regions forced to turn back or take detours to their destinations as rioters blocked roads.
"This culture of impunity will stop," Kindiki warned.
"In a most characteristic manner, the architect of today’s lawlessness and impunity, together with his co-conspirators have once again overseen a day of shameless and unprovoked looting of private premises, illegal obstruction of economic activities, and extensive damage of major public assets and infrastructure built on the sweat of the taxes of the people of Kenya," he said.