Aasai

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned the nationwide protests that took place on Wednesday, June 25, describing them as an "attempted coup" aimed at forcefully removing the government from power. Speaking during a highly charged press briefing, the CS accused the protest organizers of using the demonstrations as a cover to destabilize the country and overthrow the current administration through unconstitutional means.

According to Murkomen, the protests were not driven by genuine public grievances but were instead part of a deliberate and dangerous plot. “This was not a protest,” he declared. “It was an attempted coup, a coordinated effort to take down a legitimate government using violence, chaos, and manipulation.”

The Interior CS claimed that security agencies had obtained damning evidence, including surveillance footage, which revealed trucks delivering large sums of money to protesters. This, he alleged, was intended to incite unrest and encourage looting and destruction. Murkomen said the protesters deliberately targeted homes and businesses linked to government allies, setting fire to police stations, vehicles, and other public and private property.

“In total, five police stations were torched, 88 police vehicles destroyed, 27 county government vehicles vandalized, and 65 private cars damaged,” he stated, noting that business owners across affected towns had suffered losses amounting to billions of shillings due to looting and arson.

Murkomen also came to the defense of the police service, insisting that officers had exercised restraint and professionalism despite being under severe attack. “Our officers did not commit any excesses,” he said. “They were targeted, injured, and insulted. But they stood their ground and prevented this country from descending into anarchy.”

He praised the officers for their courage, emphasizing that their actions prevented a complete breakdown of law and order. “If it were not for the police, we would not have a country today,” Murkomen asserted, expressing gratitude to injured officers and promising full support for their recovery and protection.

The CS also took a swipe at critics, particularly religious groups and the international community, accusing them of turning a blind eye to attacks against security forces. “No church member will talk about the pain our officers went through. No diplomat will defend our police because some of them prefer chaos over peace in Kenya,” he said.

Murkomen was firm in his warning to those behind the protest. “Make no mistake, we will come for you,” he warned. He said investigations were ongoing to unmask and arrest both the organizers and the financiers behind what he termed a "well-orchestrated plot to topple the government."

Responding to public outcry about police brutality, Murkomen said the state would not tolerate threats against officers. “They don’t carry guns as toys. You cannot attack an officer and expect to be celebrated,” he stated. “When you burn a police station, don’t expect a birthday cake. We must be serious as a nation.”

He concluded by urging Kenyans to remain vigilant and support law enforcement efforts to maintain peace and stability, warning that the threat posed by those plotting against the state was far from over.