How Nyandarua Gang Was Organized And Took Less Than 10 Minutes to Destroy Sh200M County Property In Gen-Z Maandamano

In what security experts are calling a military-precision operation, a criminal gang of 10 individuals orchestrated the destruction of over Sh200 million worth of Nyandarua County government property in less than 10 minutes during the Gen-Z anniversary protests on June 25, 2025.

The attack, captured on video by a local resident, reveals the chilling efficiency of a well-coordinated criminal enterprise that exploited the chaos of nationwide demonstrations to execute what investigators now believe was a pre-planned assault on county infrastructure.

The Anatomy of Destruction

Video footage obtained by investigators shows the gang moving with calculated precision through the county government parking area opposite Ol Kalou Police Station. The operation unfolded in distinct phases that suggest extensive prior planning and reconnaissance.

Phase One: Systematic Vehicle Destruction

The gang began by methodically smashing windscreens of the 26 county vehicles parked in what officials had considered a secure area due to its proximity to the police station.

The criminals then looted valuable items from the vehicles before dousing them with what appeared to be petrol and setting them ablaze.

Phase Two: Coordinated Leadership

The footage reveals the operation was commanded by a heavily built man wearing a white jacket who directed the gang’s movements. Several members initially wore hoods but removed them as the fires intensified and heat became unbearable.

Phase Three: Strategic Timing

The attack was timed to coincide with police engagement of protesters near the Central Business District.

As law enforcement resources were diverted to handle demonstrators, the gang approached the county offices from the opposite direction, effectively using the protests as cover.

Phase Four: Office Destruction

After destroying the vehicles, the gang was seen collecting stolen goods into bags and gathering additional petrol before moving to vandalize and torch government offices, including the Assistant County Commissioner’s office and Sub-County Education offices.

The Devastating Impact

The destruction has crippled service delivery across Nyandarua County, with officials describing it as a setback that has pushed the county back by a decade.

“Nyandarua started from scratch. Unlike other counties, we did not inherit any offices or vehicles from the defunct County Council,” explained Nderi Ndiani, who served as Finance Executive in the first county administration. “When I became the Finance Executive, we had dedicated staff, but due to lack of vehicles, the department could not collect revenue effectively.”

Governor Kiarie Badilisha confirmed that the county will be forced to divert funds from development projects to replace the destroyed property. “The destruction of offices and vehicles will severely impact service delivery. Most senior county government officers’ vehicles were parked there, assuming the area was safe due to its proximity to the police station,” he said.

The attack also destroyed a store stocked with youth empowerment equipment intended for distribution during the August International Youth Week, including motorcycles, salon kits, and agricultural tools.

Educational Sector Paralyzed

County Director of Education Philip Wambua confirmed that all files and property at the Sub-County Education offices were lost in the fire. “The sub-county director and staff have nowhere to operate from. We are appealing to Ol Kalou CDF to help us build new offices. The loss is immense,” he said.

The fire also affected the Quality Assurance Director and departmental teams housed in the same building, further crippling educational administration in the county.

Criminal Investigation Underway

Nyandarua Central Sub-County Police Commander Sammy Kamau confirmed that investigators have obtained CCTV footage and recovered several items believed to have been stolen from county government stores, including beer containers, car batteries, and iron sheets.

“Our investigations target both the planners and the executors of these criminal acts,” Kamau stated.

The National Police Service announced a breakthrough in the case with an intelligence-led operation in Huruma and Vatican Estates that resulted in the arrest of 11 suspects. “Officers arrested 11 suspects and recovered items believed to have been stolen during the June 25, 2025, demonstrations. All suspects are in custody pending arraignment,” the police statement read.

The Nyandarua attack occurred during nationwide demonstrations marking the first anniversary of the 2024 Gen-Z protests against the Kenya Finance Bill.

The June 25, 2025 protests resulted in significant violence across the country, with human rights organizations reporting at least 16 deaths and over 400 injuries.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, demonstrations occurred in at least 23 counties, with varying degrees of violence and property destruction.

Security Failures Exposed

The Nyandarua incident has raised serious questions about security planning and intelligence failures. The fact that a criminal gang could operate with such impunity directly opposite a police station highlights significant gaps in law enforcement preparedness.

The gang’s ability to approach from the direction of the police station while officers were engaged elsewhere suggests either a sophisticated understanding of police deployment patterns or possible inside information about security arrangements.

Security analysts warn that the Nyandarua attack represents a new level of criminal exploitation of civil unrest in Kenya.

The precision and coordination displayed by the gang suggest the emergence of organized criminal networks capable of infiltrating legitimate protests for their own purposes.

“This was not opportunistic looting but a calculated assault on county infrastructure,” said one security expert who requested anonymity. “The level of planning and execution suggests criminal elements are becoming more sophisticated in exploiting civil unrest.”

Recovery Efforts

As Nyandarua County begins the long process of recovery, officials are calling for enhanced security measures and better coordination between national and county security apparatus.

The county government has indicated it will work with insurance companies to assess the full extent of the damage while simultaneously pursuing legal action against those responsible for the destruction.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly civil unrest can be hijacked by criminal elements, turning legitimate political expression into devastating attacks on public infrastructure and services that ultimately harm the very communities the protests claim to represent.