4 Suspects Arrested Over Harassing Chinese Nationals in Nyakamakima

Police officers have arrested four suspects in connection with harassing and extorting Chinese businessmen in Nyamakima, Nairobi. 

Speaking on Tuesday night, September 8, Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud said the police received reports of a group of Kenyans harassing Chinese traders in Nyamakima. 

According to Mohamud, the group demanded to inspect their business and immigration documents.

They also allegedly demanded payments of up to Ksh300,000 from the Chinese traders in exchange for allowing them to continue running their businesses.

“A group of about 30 persons identifying themselves as the Nyamakima business community allegedly entered businesses operated by Chinese in Nyamakima and demanded business and immigration documents. They further demanded Ksh300,000 to allow their business to continue,” said Mohamud. 

The Nairobi Police boss said officers responded promptly to the incident and arrested four suspects. 

“We received that report and responded promptly and arrested four suspects in connection with the offences,” he stated. 

Mohamud noted that the police had already recorded complaints from four Chinese traders, with two reporting that they had made payments after being harassed.

“We have four complainants; two already have paid money, one paid Ksh300,000 and another one Ksh200,000,” he mentioned. 

Further, the Nairobi Regional Police Commander warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands or targeting foreigners based on their nationality.

“I want to inform members of the public that they should not take the law into their hands or unlawfully target foreigners based of nationality. 

“I also warn individuals or groups purporting to enforce government regulations you have no mandate to do so,” Mohamud added. 

Elsewhere, Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a 32-year-old man over remarks allegedly intended to incite ethnic hatred, hostility and violence against Burundian nationals living and working in Kenya.

In a statement, the agency said the suspect, identified as Kevin Odiwuor Otieno, alias Engineer Kevin, was arrested by DCI Buruburu detectives over remarks he allegedly made at Jacaranda Grounds in Kayole during a Bunge la Mwananchi event. 

"Detectives drawn from DCI Buruburu have arrested a 32-year-old man over remarks intended to incite ethnic hatred, hostility and violence against Burundian nationals living and working in Kenya," the statement read.

The DCI said preliminary investigations had established that the remarks were directed at Burundian nationals residing in Kenya and involved in various economic activities, including employment.

Detectives are now examining the circumstances surrounding the remarks and the intent behind them as they investigate possible offences related to hate speech and ethnic incitement.

The suspect is expected to be charged with hate speech contrary to Section 13(1)(a), as read with Section 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, alongside any other appropriate charges that may arise from the ongoing investigations.