Murkomen: Wednesday Protests Were Attempted Coup Disguised as Demos
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has sensationally claimed that the June 25 demonstrations were not peaceful protests but a “well-funded, politically-driven coup attempt.”
Speaking from Harambee House, Murkomen said police thwarted what he described as an unconstitutional plot to overthrow the government, declaring the events as acts of terrorism.
“We did not witness protests. What we saw were deliberate, well-coordinated acts of terror funded by political operatives,” he said.
According to Murkomen, the violence left at least 10 people dead and over 400 injured, including 300 police officers. Nine police stations were attacked—five of them torched. Government losses included 88 police vehicles, 28 state cars, and 65 private vehicles, among them a school bus.
He further said national and county government offices were looted or vandalised, and critical infrastructure including roads, railways, and water systems were damaged.
Murkomen alleged that the attackers targeted homes and businesses of pro-government leaders, including MPs Kimani Ichung’wah, Kimani Kuria, Eric Wa Mumbi, and Mwangi Kiunjuri.
He also claimed that ambulances were misused to ferry attackers and that some vehicles were seen distributing cash to protesters in the streets of Nairobi.
“We have enough evidence to apprehend them, including their financiers. Vehicles were bringing money to different locations,” Murkomen added.
Despite reports of at least 16 deaths, Murkomen insisted no police officer used excessive force, and vowed full government backing for any officer accused of misconduct.
He also urged the Judiciary to avoid granting lenient bail terms to suspects linked to the violence.
“It is time for the Judiciary to decide if they want a country of law and order or anarchy.”
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja echoed the CS’s sentiments, warning perpetrators that arrests were imminent.
The protests, held to commemorate victims of last year’s Gen Z demonstrations, quickly turned violent across the country, leaving destruction in their wake.
In other news:One Dead, Several Injured in Matuu as Gen Z Protests Turn Violent
Murkomen: Wednesday Protests Were Attempted Coup Disguised as Demos