By mwibanda
Kenya narrowly avoided a major crisis when police thwarted an attempt to set Parliament on fire just two days after a violent protest. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki revealed the alarming details during an address to the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security on September 26.
Kindiki disclosed that on June 27, at 4 AM, a suspect was apprehended outside Parliament carrying fuel and intending to ignite the building. This incident followed the chaotic invasion of Parliament on June 25, when protesters opposing the Finance Bill wreaked havoc inside.
The implications of such an act would be severe, leaving the government vulnerable and undermining Kenya’s democracy, according to Kindiki. “Two days after we frustrated the efforts to burn Parliament and kill members, we arrested a suspect outside Parliament at 4 AM,” he stated.
While details about the suspect’s identity and the status of any formal charges remain unclear, reports indicate that no one has been charged in connection with the attempted arson, and the suspect’s whereabouts are unknown.
During the initial invasion, many parliamentarians described a terrifying experience, fearing for their lives. Several MPs, particularly from the government side, were evacuated in ambulances to escape the mob’s wrath. The protests, sparked by widespread anger over the Finance Bill, culminated in the audacious assault on a symbol of Kenya’s governance.
At the time, security measures were inadequate, with only a handful of officers struggling to contain the crowd as protesters breached the perimeter and gained access to the building, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
