Security agencies launched a crackdown over the weekend, resulting in the arrest of at least 43 youths in Isiolo.
On Sunday, County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding informed the media that police were focusing on drug traffickers, muggers, and sellers of illegal alcohol within the county. People hanging around in the town after midnight were also caught.
This operation is included in a larger initiative aimed at reestablishing order in Isiolo town, which has experienced a rise in criminal activity in recent months.
The county commissioner stated that the operation is scheduled to persist in the coming days, despite a surge of criticism from Kenyans online regarding the circumstances of the individuals’ arrests.
It is worth noting that suspicious Kenyans expressed doubt regarding the timing of the arrest, which occurred just hours after a video surfaced depicting some youths mocking President William Ruto during his tour of Isiolo.
The jeers from the youths were so loud that it required Governor Abdi Guyo to step in and call on the crowd to respect the president.
Since then, reports have surfaced alleging that the arrests, which commenced on Friday night, were aimed at young people who shouted at the President.
It is worth noting that suspicious Kenyans expressed doubt regarding the timing of the arrest, which occurred just hours after a video surfaced depicting some youths mocking President William Ruto during his tour of Isiolo.
Omoding, however, informed the media that the crackdown was instigated by Ruto’s order to security agencies in Isiolo to reduce cross-border drug trafficking.
Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya, confirmed to the media that some individuals were arrested by authorities on Saturday.
In the meantime, community elders from the Somali Community have expressed their apologies to the President following the heckling incident.
The group of elders, under the leadership of Abdulkadir Shariff (who is the chairperson of the Somali Council of Elders), proclaimed their dissatisfaction regarding the heckling directed at the President in that area.
