Kenya protests: Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen describes demonstrations as ‘coup attempt’
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Kenya’s Interior Minister Denies Police Brutality, Calls Protests An ‘Attempted Coup’
At least 10 people have been killed and hundreds injured in anti-government protests in Kenya. Police have been accused of using excessive force in response to the protests. Activists are calling on the government to do more to protect the public from violence. The protests are the latest in a series of demonstrations against the Kenyan government in recent years. The government has been criticised for its handling of the protests, including the use of tear gas and rubber bullets to try and disperse the crowds. It has also been criticized for not doing enough to ensure the safety of people in the capital, Nairobi, as well as other parts of the country. The death toll is expected to rise as police continue to investigate the cause of the violence.
Speaking in the aftermath of one of the deadliest days of protest in recent Kenyan history, Murkomen praised security forces for their “remarkable restraint amid extreme provocation,” claiming their efforts helped “foil an attempted coup.”
The protests, marking the anniversary of a previous wave of deadly demonstrations, erupted across major cities as thousands of citizens voiced anger over economic hardship, alleged police brutality, and President William Ruto’s leadership. Many chanted “Ruto must go,” waving tree branches to symbolise non-violence. Despite the peaceful message from demonstrators, the protests descended into chaos, with widespread reports of police shootings and violence.
According to the government, over 400 people were injured in the unrest, including nearly 300 police officers. Murkomen said key government offices and installations were targeted, with nine police stations attacked—five of which were set ablaze. Dozens of vehicles, both private and official, were destroyed, and five firearms were reportedly stolen.
Human rights organisations, however, have sharply condemned the government’s stance. Amnesty International put the death toll at 16 and reported that all victims had suffered gunshot wounds. The Law Society of Kenya accused the police of “unnecessary aggression and brute force,” which it said resulted in the “senseless loss of life.”
Among the victims were teenagers David Mwangi, 19, and Dennis Njuguna, 17. David was shot in the head in Nairobi’s Mukuru informal settlement while trying to pick up his younger brother from a tuition class. His mother, Rachael Nyambura Mwangi, described him as her “helper” and said he had hoped to study mechanics in college. “I am in so much pain,” she said through tears. “He was my first-born. Whenever I needed anything, I sent him.”
Dennis Njuguna was gunned down in the town of Molo, northwest of Nairobi, shortly after school. “I don’t know if he was among the protesters or hit by a stray bullet,” said his mother, Jecinta Gathoni. “My child was still young, he was in his final year of school. I had so much hope in him.”
Wednesday’s protests also triggered a government-imposed media blackout, with a ban on live TV and radio coverage—later overturned by the Nairobi High Court. Rights groups and legal advocates warned that the attempt to silence coverage was a dangerous infringement on press freedom.
Murkomen announced that investigations into the violence and the full death toll are ongoing, but critics argue that accountability must follow swiftly. As public anger mounts, the government faces growing pressure to explain the use of lethal force, provide justice for the victims, and restore confidence in law enforcement.
Wednesday’s events have reignited fears of escalating political unrest in a country with a long, painful history of protest violence.
Melissa Enoch
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June 25 chaos deliberate, funded, and politically driven – Murkomen
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned the violence that erupted during the protests on Wednesday, June 25. He described the events as a politically motivated and coordinated attempt to overthrow the government of President William Ruto. The government has initiated an investigation to trace and bring to justice the masterminds behind the “regime change plot,” he stated. At least ten Kenyans lost their lives and over 400 people were injured, including nearly 300 police officers. The CS also defended the actions of the police during the protest, stating that no officer committed any excesses and that security agencies exercised “remarkable restraint amid extreme provocation”
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned the violence that erupted during the protests on Wednesday, June 25, describing the events as a politically motivated and coordinated attempt to overthrow the government of President William Ruto.
“What unfolded yesterday was not a protest. It was terrorism disguised as dissent. There was no peaceful demonstration, it was riots, chaos and anarchy……It was an unconstitutional attempt to change the regime of this republic. Police were able to foil an attempted coup,” said the CS.
According to Murkomen, the chaos seen across various parts of the country had nothing to do with freedom of expression or constitutional rights.
“Those who planned chaos during protests had a premeditated plan. They shared that plan, including online. The plan was to take the symbols of authority and democracy which is statehouse and parliament to show that they had achieved some sort of regime change,”
“We witnessed a well-orchestrated campaign of political violence. What happened was not spontaneous. It was not random. It was deliberate. It was coordinated. It was funded. It was premeditated. And politically instigated,” he announced at a press briefing Thursday afternoon.
Murkomen revealed that government installations and police stations were specifically targeted to undermine state authority.
“At least nine police stations were attacked, five of which were torched including in Dagoretti, Molo and Ol Kalau. 88 police vehicles were destroyed,” he noted, while it also emerged that at least ten Kenyans lost their lives and over 400 people were injured, including nearly 300 police officers.
The CS pointed out that homes and businesses belonging to leaders allied with the ruling party were also targeted during the violent rampage.
Murkomen disclosed that the government has initiated an investigation to trace and bring to justice the masterminds behind the “regime change plot.”
“The Inspector General of Police, through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is carrying out investigations to apprehend and bring to justice the organizers and financiers of this well-orchestrated campaign of violence,” he stated.
“Rest assured that the government will pursue justice relentlessly on behalf of all affected Kenyans. No person will be spared regardless of their political or financial status,” he asserted.
The CS also defended the actions of the police during the protests, stating that no officer committed any excesses and that security agencies exercised “remarkable restraint amid extreme provocation.”
“If it were not for the police officers, we wouldn’t have this country today or even be sitting here to make these statements,” he said. “Nobody will come out in public to defend our police officers. I want to speak authoritatively – I thank our police officers for a job well done against extreme provocation.”
Before addressing the nation, Murkomen toured several areas of Nairobi to evaluate the damage and response following Wednesday’s protests. He was joined by Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja.
Kenyan Govt Defends Police, Describes Protests As Coup Plot
Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed claims of police brutality during Wednesday’s nationwide protests. At least 10 dead and hundreds injured, including nearly 300 police officers, though rights groups dispute the figures. The protests, marking one year since a previous wave of deadly unrest, saw thousands march across Kenya, chanting “Ruto must go” and waving tree branches as symbols of peaceful resistance. However, clashes erupted as demonstrators targeted government buildings, with nine police stations attacked.
Speaking at a press briefing, Murkomen praised security forces for showing “remarkable restraint” in what he described as an “attempted coup” against President William Ruto’s government.
The protests, marking one year since a previous wave of deadly unrest, saw thousands march across Kenya, chanting “Ruto must go” and waving tree branches as symbols of peaceful resistance. However, clashes erupted as demonstrators targeted government buildings, with nine police stations attacked. Five of those were set ablaze, and five firearms were stolen. Dozens of vehicles, including police and civilian cars, were also destroyed.
Murkomen confirmed over 400 injuries, including nearly 300 police officers, though rights groups dispute the figures. Amnesty International reported at least 16 fatalities, all from gunshot wounds.
The minister condemned what he called “criminal anarchists” exploiting peaceful protests to commit violence, looting, and sexual assault. “This was not a protest; it was an unconstitutional attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government,” he said.
Authorities have launched investigations into the casualties and circumstances of the clashes. However, rights groups accuse police of excessive force.
The government initially banned live TV and radio coverage of the protests, a move later overturned by the Nairobi High Court. The Law Society of Kenya condemned security forces for “unnecessary aggression and brute force,” blaming them for “senseless loss of life.”
Human rights monitors reported at least three injured police officers but emphasized that most casualties were civilians.
The protests reflect deepening public anger over economic hardship and alleged state repression. President Ruto, who came to power promising reform, now faces mounting pressure over his administration’s heavy-handed response to dissent.
As investigations continue, calls for accountability grow louder, with activists demanding an independent probe into the killings. The government, however, remains defiant, framing the unrest as a threat to national stability rather than a cry for reform.
With tensions still simmering, Kenya risks further unrest unless dialogue replaces crackdowns. The world watches as the Ruto government balances security concerns with demands for justice, a test of democracy in one of Africa’s most influential nations
Kipchumba Murkomen Praises Police for Dealing Ruthlessly with Gen Z Protesters: “Job Well Done”
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the National Police Service (NPS) officers acted under immense pressure. He condemned the protests, which he described as an attempt to overthrow the government, targeting key government institutions such as State House and Parliament. The Interior CS vowed to defend all the officers involved in the operation, arguing no one, including the church, will stand to defend the men and women in uniform. In related news, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) revealed that over ten people were killed and 207 were injured during the Gen Z protests. For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org for details. In the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
Murkomen condemned the protests, which he described as an attempt to overthrow the government, targeting key government institutions such as State House and Parliament
The CS expressed unwavering support for the police officers involved, stating that the government and ministry stand behind them, promising legal backing
Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has commended the National Police Service (NPS) officers on how they handled the Gen Z demonstrations.
Kipchumba Murkomen (left) praises police for dealing ruthlessly with Gen Z protesters (right). Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen/Getty Images.
Source: Getty Images
During the Wednesday, June 25, demonstrations, police officers came under sharp criticism for allegedly using excessive force on protesters.
However, in a press statement, Murkomen strongly defended the police, arguing that they acted with a lot of strain.
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While terming the demonstrations an attempt to overthrow the government, Murkomen praised the cops for a “job well done in foiling an attempted coup” during protests that he said targeted State House and Parliament.
“All the police officers who did a very good job yesterday, you have my full support, 100%. Even if you need a lawyer, or you need anything, I have it; you have my back, and you have the back of this ministry, and I have your back actually, and I have your back, and the ministry has your back, and the government has your back. If you are a police officer and you are being threatened with some character saying that you committed any excesses, there is no police officer who committed any excesses yesterday,” Murkomen said.
Amid reports that some protesters were shot dead, Murkomen wondered how Kenyans expected police to use guns when threatened by those engaged in violent demonstrations.
“Police officers foiled a coup, and they deserve our defence. They don’t carry guns as toys. When you threaten a police officer, you want to kill them. When you want to, when you attack an armory in a police station, when you steal guns, when you burn guns, when you burn a police station, you want us to celebrate you and bring you a birthday cake,” he said.
The Interior CS vowed to defend all the officers involved in the operation, arguing no one, including the church, will stand to defend the men and women in uniform.
“I know that no church member or diplomat will come publicly to defend the police because it is not in their interest for Kenya to be a safe nation,” the CS stated.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen speaking at a past event. Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen.
Source: Facebook
What you need to know about Gen Z protests?
The Interior CS regretted that hundreds of traders have lost livelihoods built through hard work, just because of lawlessness by some Kenyans.
Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale slammed police for shooting dead a Thika Technical Training Institute student
A Former Three student was shot dead following violent demonistrations in Molo, Nakuru county
How many people died during Gen Z protests?
In related news, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) revealed that over ten people were killed and 207 were injured during the Gen Z protests.
IPOA said it had launched investigations, given that the police allegedly shot some of those who died.
During the protests, many armed gangs looted various businesses in the CBD, and others burnt public properties.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Kenyan minister defends police over protests, labels them a ‘coup attempt’ -VIDEO
Interior minister Kipchumba Murkomen denies allegations that police used excessive force during Wednesday’s protests. He described the demonstrations as “terrorism disguised as dissent” and called them an “unconstitutional attempt” to overthrow the government. He thanked security agencies for their “remarkable restraint amid extreme provocation” and credited them with helping to “foil an attempted coup” More than 400 others were injured, including about 300 police officers, he said.
Kipchumba Murkomen thanked security agencies for their “remarkable restraint amid extreme provocation” crediting them with helping to “foil an attempted coup”, News.Az reports citing BBC.
In addition to the 10 deaths, more than 400 others were injured, including about 300 police officers, he said.
“We condemn the criminal anarchists who in the name of peaceful demonstrations unleashed a wave of violence, looting, sexual assault and destruction upon our people,” he said.
Key government installations and offices were targeted in the protests, he added, with nine police stations attacked, five of which were torched – and five guns stolen.
Dozens of vehicles, belonging to the police, government and civilians, were destroyed, he said.
Murkomen said that investigations were under way into the exact number of casualties and the circumstances around the violence.
Rights group Amnesty International has put the death toll at 16, saying that all those who died had gunshot wounds.
The protests marked the first anniversary of a previous wave of deadly anti-government demonstrations.
On Wednesday, thousands took to the streets across to voice anger with President William Ruto’s government, and to demand an end to police brutality.
Many of those demonstrating chanted “Ruto must go” and waved branches as a symbol of peaceful opposition to his rule.
The government banned live TV and radio coverage of the protests, although its decree was overturned by the Nairobi High Court. The ban has has since been lifted.
Rights groups have condemned the actions of the police and state.
The Law Society of Kenya said there had been “unnecessary aggression and brute force” by security officers, which it said had led to “senseless loss of life”.
On Wednesday, human rights groups said three police officers had been injured.
News.Az