The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has launched a full-scale manhunt for armed and hooded individuals who turned the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election into a scene of terror last week.
Detectives are now pursuing all credible leads as they work to identify and arrest those behind the violence that marred the electoral process, with the DCI warning that nobody involved will escape the long arm of the law.
In a statement released on Sunday night, the DCI said investigators are currently carrying out forensic examinations, analysing digital evidence, and interviewing witnesses as part of their efforts to establish the identities of the suspects.
The agency made it clear that those found to have planned, financed, incited or directly participated in the violence will face prosecution regardless of their political affiliation or social status.
"All persons found to have planned, financed, incited or participated in the criminal acts will be brought to justice. No individual will be exempt from the due process of the law on account of status, position or political affiliation," the statement read in part.
The DCI has now appealed to members of the public with information that could assist the investigations to share it confidentially.
The agency has assured Kenyans that it will continue providing updates as the investigations progress.
How Chaos Unfolded in Ol Kalou Town
Fear gripped Ol Kalou town on Thursday last week after armed, hooded men driving several sport utility vehicles moved through the streets, fired shots into the air and patrolled areas near polling stations as voting descended into chaos.
The unrest came after voting had largely proceeded peacefully throughout the morning before the situation took a dangerous turn in the afternoon.
Videos seen by the Star show hooded men armed with guns and rungus moving around the town as terrified residents scattered for safety.
In one clip, a hooded man carrying a long rungu is seen dispersing people before boarding a moving SUV alongside another masked individual.
Another video shows a man standing on top of an SUV firing towards a crowd, while another person appears to fire from the rear window of the same vehicle as it moved through the area.
The scenes sparked panic among residents, some of whom hid while recording the unfolding events. Voices captured in the videos urged those around them to remain silent and avoid drawing attention.
"Keep quiet, don't move; they will beat us with stones," a woman is heard saying in Kikuyu.
Another voice says, "Nyamaza, usitoke na unyamaze, usiende mahali," as another woman urges those around her to leave the area.
In another scene, several men are seen running while carrying firearms as residents flee in different directions.
Journalist Attacked While Covering Incident
Violence also followed earlier disturbances near St Joseph's Catholic Comprehensive School polling centre after a group of residents briefly barricaded part of the road leading to the station.
According to The Star photographer and journalist Enos Teche, masked men arrived in a Prado, fired shots into the air and released tear gas canisters.
Teche said the men then confronted him as he covered the incident. He said they surrounded him, questioned him and forcefully grabbed his camera before assaulting him.
The DCI has said it is working closely with other agencies under the National Police Service and relevant institutions to prevent electoral violence, safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and ensure all criminal acts committed during elections are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
"In collaboration with sister services in the National Police Service and other relevant institutions, the Directorate remains steadfast in preventing electoral violence, safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that all acts of criminality are investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law," the statement said.
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