It Was Funded And Politically Instigated – Murkomen Says On Gen Z Demos

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen says Gen Z demos held on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, were funded and politically instigated.

Speaking on Thursday, June 26, 2025, Murkomen said the protests initially touted as peaceful recorded scenes of profound pain and violence in the name of the right to peaceful assembly.

“What unfolded yesterday was not a protest. It was terrorism disguised as dissent. There was no peaceful demonstration; it was riots, chaos and anarchy. Let me, therefore, state unequivocally that 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,” Murkomen stated.

The CS says over 10 Kenyans were killed, over 400 people were injured, close to 300 of whom were police officers, some left with injuries they will carry for the rest of their lives.

Also, at least nine police stations were attacked, five of which were torched, including Dagoretti, Molo and Ol Kalau. 88 Police vehicles were destroyed.

He adds that a total of 27 national and county government vehicles were destroyed, and 65 civilian vehicles parked in various police stations, including a school bus, were also burned.

Also, five firearms were stolen in Dagoretti Police Post, Kiambu County, while four were burnt at Gachui Police Post.

Government offices, including courts, National Government and County Offices were looted and burnt. Businesses worth billions of shillings were massively looted.

“The criminals targeted kiosks, supermarkets, electronic shops, hotels and restaurants, among others. Just like Government infrastructure, business and residential premises were burnt, including one owned by the Catholic Church in Embu County,” he added.

Murkomen says the organisers targeted homes and businesses of elected leaders who support the Government, including the homes and businesses of National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Molo MP Kimani Kuria, Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi, Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina, MP Mbeere South Eng. Bernard Muriuki and Laikipia East MP, Mwangi Kiunjuri, among others.

“This was not just violence. It was an orchestrated campaign of terror, an assault on our people, our Constitution, our institutions, our values, and the very soul of this Republic. What was billed as a peaceful protest was, in truth, a calculated disguise, a coordinated descent into chaos masked as civic expression,” he added.

“Beneath the banner of democratic rights, 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.”

Murkomen says the mobilised protestors along Kiambu and Thika roads were chanting “it is time to take over power” and “occupy State House”.

Murkomen has, however, lauded peaceful protesters in Mombasa, whom he says followed a defined route and specified timelines, accompanied by law enforcement officers.

“The Inspector General of Police, through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, is carrying out investigations to apprehend and bring to justice the organisers and financiers of this well-orchestrated campaign of violence. 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,” Murkomen added.

“Our security agencies exercised remarkable restraint amid extreme provocation. I want to say this to the brave officers injured while protecting Kenyans, property, key installations, including Parliament, Judiciary and State House against riotous and no doubt hired thugs—we feel your pain and sacrifice that embody the truest expression of patriotism.”

Murkomen has also welcomed dialogue with all stakeholders, including the youth, grassroots voices, traders and business leaders, civil society, and religious groups, to address systemic issues that affect Kenya.

Read: Rage and Reckoning: Strategic Lessons of Kenya’s 2024 Gen Z Protests

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