Detectives have arrested a suspect believed to have been involved in the arson attack on a motor vehicle at Githurai Roundabout during the recent violent fuel-related demonstrations.

The suspect, Elisha Karanja Gatwa, was apprehended in Ruiru after investigators pursued crucial leads arising from the incident.

He is currently being processed as detectives continue with investigations aimed at identifying and apprehending other individuals who may have participated in the criminal act.

Henry Larweh-Martey, the owner of the vehicle that was torched, was driving a Mazda CX-5 toward Kamakis to purchase construction materials when he was stopped and surrounded by a crowd.

“They ransacked the car and started picking things from the car. So I got out of the car to interact with them to stop what they were doing,” he said.

Larweh-Martey noted that the situation turned hostile after the group spotted a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) sash on the driver’s seat.

“They pulled the UDA sash and started screaming in Kiswahili, and the people became agitated,” he added.

Moments later, the vehicle was set on fire as demonstrations degenerated into violence across parts of Nairobi and other major towns. The transport strike had been called to protest soaring fuel prices.

Priscilla Njiraini, the owner of the vehicle and wife of the driver, expressed devastation over the loss, noting that her insurance policy does not cover damages incurred during civil unrest.

“It’s very unfortunate that I have lost my car. Even with comprehensive insurance, I did not take the option for demonstrations, so I know it will not get paid,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched a probe into the incident, with detectives analyzing viral footage to identify the perpetrators.