Nairobi, Kenya – Kenyan authorities have arrested 485 people in a sweeping crackdown following the violent unrest that erupted during the Gen-Z youth demonstrations on June 25. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced on Monday that 448 of those arrested have already been charged with a range of serious crimes, including murder, terrorism, rape, arson, and robbery with violence.

DCI Director Mohamed Ibrahim Amin stated that what began as peaceful protests was deliberately hijacked by a sophisticated and well-funded criminal network. “Preliminary investigations reveal a deliberate plot to incite chaos, civil unrest, and widespread anarchy under the guise of public protest,” he said, noting that suspects were strategically mobilized from various parts of the country to sow discord in Nairobi. This claim was bolstered by reports of a coordinated attack on a police station in Kinangop on June 26, where around 400 armed individuals stormed the facility. While not directly linked to the Gen-Z protests, officials believe it reflects a pattern of organized violence. Police have vowed to pursue the remaining suspects, thanking the public for providing information that has been crucial in identifying the perpetrators.