MERU, Kenya — Three suspects connected to the arson attack on Magunas Supermarket during the Saba Saba protests on July 7, 2025, have been apprehended.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported that Ian Mugambi, Abdulatif Murithi, and Teddy Kaimenyi were captured on CCTV cameras engaging in looting and setting fire to Magunas Supermarket.
They are also implicated in the looting of Seven Eleven Lounge and Selelite Supermarket.
“During the arrests, officers recovered a dark green motorcycle used during the incidents,” the DCI report stated.
The suspects are currently in custody, awaiting their arraignment in court.
The DCI further added that police officers have launched a comprehensive manhunt for additional suspects believed to be involved in these attacks.
What began as a demonstration commemorating the 35th anniversary of the 1990 pro-democracy protests in Kenya rapidly escalated into widespread violence and destruction.
Magunas Supermarket, a prominent retail outlet in the region, was completely razed after a mob overwhelmed anti-riot police and stormed the premises.
Eyewitnesses reported that individuals disguised as protesters exploited the turmoil to steal goods and vandalize property before deliberately setting the building ablaze.
Shoppers and staff were forced to flee in a state of panic as flames rapidly engulfed the structure, resulting in immense financial losses and posing a significant threat to adjacent businesses.
Nearby, the Seven Eleven Lounge, a popular entertainment venue in Meru Town, also fell victim to vandals who destroyed equipment and looted valuables.
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In a disturbing development, a Meru County fire truck dispatched to contain the inferno was attacked by protesters after its water supply was depleted. The vehicle was pelted with stones, compelling emergency responders to retreat from the scene.
The Saba Saba protests, observed annually on July 7, serve to commemorate a pivotal moment in Kenya’s political history: the 1990 demonstrations that acted as a catalyst for the nation’s transition towards multi-party democracy.
Police authorities have urged residents to come forward with any information that could assist in bringing more perpetrators to justice, as investigations continue to piece together the events of the day of unrest.
