The remains of Ol Kalou Sub-County offices after being torched by suspected goons on 25 June, 2025. Photo/GPS
By Newsflash Team
It has now been three days since over 26 Nyandarua County Government vehicles were torched and the Ol Kalou Sub-County offices vandalized during the height of the nationwide Gen Z protests on June 25.
But one question remains unanswered: who orchestrated this targeted destruction?
The attack—widely condemned by leaders and residents alike—appears to have been premeditated. A five-minute video clip circulating online has added fuel to the mystery.
The footage shows a group of unknown individuals systematically vandalizing county vehicles, some of them dousing the cars with petrol before setting them ablaze. The video also shows the destruction of the Nyandarua County Library and government offices, suggesting that the attackers may have had clear instructions and possibly external backing.
Suspicion falls on outsiders
Residents of Ol Kalou, the county’s administrative hub, say they don’t recognize the individuals seen in the video. To them, the attackers were not part of the Gen Z demonstrators who had earlier peacefully marched in the town.
“We have been living here. No one has ever thought to commit such a crime. We may have our discomfort with the County leadership, but it has never come to such,” said James Kamotho, a long-time resident of Ol Kalou Town.
“These were people who were ferried from other areas to bring chaos in our area,” added Rahab Mukami, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the town.
Governor Kiarie Badilisha, speaking a day after the incident, firmly absolved Nyandarua locals from blame, pointing fingers at external elements.
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“From the way we have been interacting with the locals, they cannot be behind such acts. I have known them for long. These are people who were brought from other areas to cause mayhem to our peaceful county,” he stated during a press briefing.
Efforts by Newsflash to get a comment from Nyandarua County Commissioner Jarsdesa Abdirisack were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to our calls or messages.
Meanwhile, security agencies have yet to confirm any arrests or progress in identifying those involved.
Tension with police fuels distrust
Although many residents distanced themselves from the acts of arson and vandalism, a different layer of tension is brewing between the public and the police—a factor some believe could have contributed to the unrest.
In recent weeks, the county has seen an alarming number of deaths in police custody, sparking protests and calls for accountability.
On June 10, a pregnant woman reportedly miscarried while in detention at the Rwanyambo Police Post. The incident prompted public outrage, culminating in residents storming the station demanding justice. Following the outcry, Nyandarua Police Commander Stella Cherono visited the post and expressed regret, assuring that the matter is under investigation by the National Police Service (NPS).
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“She was seven months pregnant. The public deserves to know what really happened,” said a relative of the woman, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The OCS of Rwanyambo Police Post has since been interdicted pending the outcome of the ongoing investigations. Senator John Methu also raised the issue in the Senate, urging the government to hold those responsible accountable.
Just days later, tragedy struck again. Ruigi Ndubi, a 44-year-old man, died in custody at Turasha Police Station in Kipipiri. Police allege that Ndubi, who was reportedly intoxicated, hanged himself in his cell using his shirt. However, his family disputes this claim, noting that he was found kneeling on the floor, a posture inconsistent with suicide by hanging.
“This explanation does not add up. How does someone hang themselves with their knees still on the ground?” a family member asked Newsflash, pointing to what they called “a possible cover-up.”
In total, at least four people have died in controversial circumstances in Nyandarua over the past month, fueling suspicions of police brutality and deepening the rift between law enforcement and the public.
A national puzzle
As nationwide protests escalate and security installations come under attack in various counties, blame has continued to shift between the National Government and the Opposition. The Gen Z-led protests, initially sparked by economic grievances and opposition to the Finance Bill 2025, have evolved into a broader movement questioning governance, accountability, and state violence.
In Nyandarua, however, the burning of government vehicles and buildings stands out as unusually deliberate. The presence of fuel-carrying vandals, as seen in the video, raises serious questions about who financed and organized the act.
Security analysts say such acts rarely occur in isolation. “This was not just a spontaneous riot. This was a coordinated assault with symbolic targets. It could be politically motivated or part of a wider destabilization agenda,” said one analyst familiar with public unrest patterns, speaking to Newsflash off the record.
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So far, no group has claimed responsibility, and no suspects have been officially named.
As questions mount, Nyandarua residents are demanding answers, not just about the torching of public assets, but also about the increasing reports of unexplained deaths in police custody.
“Someone needs to be held accountable. We are tired of being victims of both violence and silence,” said another resident during a community gathering organized to discuss the recent events.
For now, the truth behind the orchestrated mayhem remains elusive, buried beneath rising tensions, official silence, and a community desperate for justice.
The question still stands: who planned the Nyandarua attack—and why?
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