Central Police Station OCS Arrested Over Alleged Release of 64 Fuel Protest Suspects

Central Police Station OCS Arrested Over Alleged Release of 64 Fuel Protest Suspects

A senior police officer attached to Nairobi’s Central Police Station has been arrested following allegations that he unlawfully released dozens of suspects arrested during the violent anti-fuel protests that rocked several parts of the country earlier this week.

Chief Inspector Dishen Angoya, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Central Police Station, was taken into custody on Tuesday as investigations intensified into what authorities described as a serious breach of police procedure during one of the country’s most chaotic demonstrations in recent months.

In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations confirmed that Angoya was arrested over allegations that he authorised the release of 64 suspects who had been detained over offences linked to public disorder during Monday’s nationwide protests.

“Kindly be informed that today at 1200hrs, Chief Inspector Dishen Angoya, the OCS Central Police Station, Nairobi Region, was arrested by the Deputy Regional Police Commander for the offence of abuse of office after allegedly releasing 64 prisoners arrested for offences relating to public order without lawful authority,” the police statement read in part.

Authorities said the officer had been placed in custody pending arraignment in court as investigations continue.

Police sources further revealed that Angoya reportedly complained of high blood pressure shortly after his detention, although officials maintained that the legal process would proceed as investigations gather momentum.

The arrest comes against the backdrop of violent protests triggered by soaring fuel prices, which paralysed transport operations across major towns and cities on Monday.

The demonstrations escalated into running battles between protesters and police officers in several areas, particularly along Thika Road in Nairobi, where motorists were forced to abandon vehicles as chaos unfolded on one of the country’s busiest highways.

During the unrest, several vehicles were vandalised and torched, leaving commuters stranded for hours.

The DCI disclosed that detectives are currently analysing viral online videos believed to contain footage of individuals involved in attacks and destruction witnessed during the protests.

Among the incidents under active investigation is the torching of a Mazda CX-5 reportedly linked to a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) politician along Thika Road.

Security agencies described the demonstrations as increasingly infiltrated by criminal elements taking advantage of public unrest to engage in looting, destruction, and attacks on motorists.

The nationwide protests were largely driven by outrage over recent fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

Earlier this month, EPRA significantly increased diesel prices, triggering anger among matatu operators, boda boda riders, digital taxi drivers, and private motorists who argued the hikes had made transport operations unsustainable.

The transport sector protests quickly escalated into a near-total shutdown of public transport services across several counties.

Facing mounting pressure, EPRA later convened a six-hour consultative meeting with transport stakeholders before announcing revised fuel prices on Monday evening.

Under the new review, diesel prices were reduced by Ksh10.06 per litre while kerosene prices rose sharply by Ksh38.60 per litre. Super petrol prices remained unchanged for the pricing cycle running from May 19 to June 14, 2026.

Following the review, diesel prices in Nairobi now stand at Ksh232.86 per litre, kerosene at Ksh191.38, while super petrol remains at Ksh214.25 per litre.

Despite the adjustment, transport operators maintained that the diesel reduction was insufficient and vowed to continue protests until further action is taken by the government.

Meanwhile, Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that the demonstrations left at least four people dead and more than 30 others injured in Nairobi, Nakuru, Kajiado, and Kakamega counties.

The Interior CS also disclosed that 348 suspects had been arrested in connection with the unrest.

“The government will firmly deal with individuals behind organised criminal activity disguised as demonstrations,” Murkomen warned.

As investigations continue, the arrest of the Central Police Station OCS has now added a fresh twist to the unfolding security and political fallout surrounding the anti-fuel protests, with questions emerging over accountability within law enforcement agencies during the handling of the demonstrations.

ALSO READ: Chesumei MP Counts Heavy Losses After Ksh20 Million Truck Torched During Violent Matatu Strike

Central Police Station OCS Arrested Over Alleged Release of 64 Fuel Protest Suspects