Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen Labels Vandalism, Arson, and Looting as Terrorism Amid Protest Crackdown
Quote from Lawyer on August 14, 2025, 6:00 amInterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has declared that acts of vandalism, arson, and looting during protests will now be treated as terrorism under Kenyan law. Speaking at a press briefing in Nairobi on June 26, 2025, Murkomen condemned the recent anti-government protests held on June 25, describing them as "terrorism disguised as dissent." The statement follows a wave of demonstrations marking the anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, which resulted in significant violence, property destruction, and loss of life.
Murkomen dismissed claims that the June 25 protests were peaceful, asserting that they were characterized by riots, chaos, and anarchy. He stated that the demonstrations were not spontaneous but rather a "planned, deliberate, coordinated, funded, and politically instigated" campaign aimed at destabilizing the country. According to the Interior CS, the protests saw orchestrated attacks on critical infrastructure, including roads, railways, and power installations, as well as private businesses and homes of politicians aligned with the government.
The protests resulted in significant casualties and damage. At least 16 people were reported dead, primarily due to police action, with over 400 injuries, including nearly 300 police officers, some sustaining lifelong injuries. Key government installations were targeted, with nine police stations attacked, five of which were set ablaze, including those in Dagoretti, Molo, and Ol Kalau. Five firearms, including two AK-47 rifles, a G3 rifle, a Jericho pistol, and an anti-riot gun, were stolen from the Dagoretti Police Post in Kiambu County, while four firearms were burned at Gachui Police Post. Additionally, 88 police vehicles, 27 national and county government vehicles, and 65 civilian vehicles, including a school bus, were destroyed.
Murkomen highlighted the economic toll, noting that businesses worth billions of shillings were looted, particularly in Nairobi’s Moi Avenue and Koja areas, where mobile phones, clothes, motorcycle spare parts, and electronics were stolen. A trader in Koja reported losses of approximately Sh2 million after looters set fire to shops, destroying newly acquired printing machines and other goods. The Catholic Church in Embu County also suffered property damage when one of its premises was burned. The CS described these acts as an assault on Kenya’s Constitution, institutions, values, and the "very soul of the Republic."
The government has vowed to pursue justice relentlessly, with Murkomen announcing a nationwide manhunt for the perpetrators and their financiers. He revealed that authorities are using CCTV footage and other technology to identify those involved in looting and destruction. Some vehicles were reportedly used to distribute money to protesters, suggesting a coordinated effort. The Interior CS emphasized that no individual, regardless of political or financial status, would be spared.
Murkomen also addressed allegations of police misconduct, including abductions and extrajudicial killings, which have fueled public outrage. The death of Albert Ojwang, a schoolteacher and blogger who died in custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station after his arrest in Homa Bay, has intensified calls for accountability. Ojwang was detained over allegations of publishing defamatory content against Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Kipkoech Lagat, who has since stepped aside to allow investigations. Murkomen denied claims of systematic abductions by state agents, asserting that the National Police Service operates independently and is required to bring all suspects to court. He noted that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is investigating reported cases of missing persons, with the government’s full support.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo sharply criticized Murkomen’s remarks, arguing that labeling protesters as terrorists without judicial process threatens Kenya’s democratic foundations. She emphasized that only the judiciary has the authority to determine guilt, citing Article 50 of the Constitution, which presumes innocence until proven otherwise, and Article 49, which guarantees the right to legal counsel. Odhiambo warned that the selective use of anti-terror laws appears aimed at suppressing dissent rather than delivering justice, pointing out that individuals accused of terrorism have been released on relatively low bail amounts, contradicting the government’s narrative. She also highlighted the historical context, noting that many current leaders were once labeled criminals for dissenting against past regimes.
Civil society groups, including Amnesty International Kenya, have condemned Murkomen’s statements as dangerous and dehumanizing, arguing that they undermine the constitutional right to peaceful assembly under Article 37. Irũngũ Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya, described the comparison of Gen Z-led protests to terrorism as "deeply ironic and troubling." He raised concerns about the role of security agencies in abductions and deaths, referencing 82 reported abduction cases since June 2024, with 13 occurring in the past three months, and six individuals still missing as of December 2024.
Traders affected by the protests expressed devastation over their losses. In Nairobi’s downtown areas, shops were broken into, looted, and set on fire, leaving traders like Kelvin Ambani grappling with significant financial setbacks. Two brothers who co-own a business narrowly escaped harm after one locked himself in their shop during the chaos. They pleaded for government intervention to ensure security during future protests to protect their livelihoods.
Murkomen announced that the government is developing new legislation to regulate public demonstrations, aiming to ensure they are conducted peacefully and in accordance with the Constitution. He cited the example of protests in Mombasa, where demonstrators followed a defined route with police accompaniment, as a model for orderly protests. The proposed law would require organizers to provide details on the purpose, timing, and route of demonstrations to enable police to provide adequate security and minimize disruptions to non-participants, traders, and businesses.
The Interior CS also addressed social media misuse, warning that individuals inciting division or glorifying harmful behavior online would face action under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. Speaking in Bungoma on December 27, 2024, during a visit to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s family, Murkomen urged parents and leaders to foster positive values among the youth, lamenting the trend of celebrating negative behavior online.
President William Ruto, addressing the issue of abductions during a speech in Homa Bay, pledged to end the wave of disappearances and called for parental responsibility in guiding youth toward discipline and patriotism. The government’s stance has sparked a broader debate about balancing security measures with democratic rights, with critics warning that the misuse of terrorism laws could criminalize dissent and erode Kenya’s fragile democracy.
As tensions remain high, the government’s commitment to tightening security measures and pursuing those responsible for the violence signals a firm stance against unrest. However, the controversy surrounding Murkomen’s remarks and the government’s response to protests underscores ongoing challenges in addressing public grievances while maintaining order.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has declared that acts of vandalism, arson, and looting during protests will now be treated as terrorism under Kenyan law. Speaking at a press briefing in Nairobi on June 26, 2025, Murkomen condemned the recent anti-government protests held on June 25, describing them as "terrorism disguised as dissent." The statement follows a wave of demonstrations marking the anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, which resulted in significant violence, property destruction, and loss of life.
Murkomen dismissed claims that the June 25 protests were peaceful, asserting that they were characterized by riots, chaos, and anarchy. He stated that the demonstrations were not spontaneous but rather a "planned, deliberate, coordinated, funded, and politically instigated" campaign aimed at destabilizing the country. According to the Interior CS, the protests saw orchestrated attacks on critical infrastructure, including roads, railways, and power installations, as well as private businesses and homes of politicians aligned with the government.
The protests resulted in significant casualties and damage. At least 16 people were reported dead, primarily due to police action, with over 400 injuries, including nearly 300 police officers, some sustaining lifelong injuries. Key government installations were targeted, with nine police stations attacked, five of which were set ablaze, including those in Dagoretti, Molo, and Ol Kalau. Five firearms, including two AK-47 rifles, a G3 rifle, a Jericho pistol, and an anti-riot gun, were stolen from the Dagoretti Police Post in Kiambu County, while four firearms were burned at Gachui Police Post. Additionally, 88 police vehicles, 27 national and county government vehicles, and 65 civilian vehicles, including a school bus, were destroyed.
Murkomen highlighted the economic toll, noting that businesses worth billions of shillings were looted, particularly in Nairobi’s Moi Avenue and Koja areas, where mobile phones, clothes, motorcycle spare parts, and electronics were stolen. A trader in Koja reported losses of approximately Sh2 million after looters set fire to shops, destroying newly acquired printing machines and other goods. The Catholic Church in Embu County also suffered property damage when one of its premises was burned. The CS described these acts as an assault on Kenya’s Constitution, institutions, values, and the "very soul of the Republic."
The government has vowed to pursue justice relentlessly, with Murkomen announcing a nationwide manhunt for the perpetrators and their financiers. He revealed that authorities are using CCTV footage and other technology to identify those involved in looting and destruction. Some vehicles were reportedly used to distribute money to protesters, suggesting a coordinated effort. The Interior CS emphasized that no individual, regardless of political or financial status, would be spared.
Murkomen also addressed allegations of police misconduct, including abductions and extrajudicial killings, which have fueled public outrage. The death of Albert Ojwang, a schoolteacher and blogger who died in custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station after his arrest in Homa Bay, has intensified calls for accountability. Ojwang was detained over allegations of publishing defamatory content against Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Kipkoech Lagat, who has since stepped aside to allow investigations. Murkomen denied claims of systematic abductions by state agents, asserting that the National Police Service operates independently and is required to bring all suspects to court. He noted that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is investigating reported cases of missing persons, with the government’s full support.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo sharply criticized Murkomen’s remarks, arguing that labeling protesters as terrorists without judicial process threatens Kenya’s democratic foundations. She emphasized that only the judiciary has the authority to determine guilt, citing Article 50 of the Constitution, which presumes innocence until proven otherwise, and Article 49, which guarantees the right to legal counsel. Odhiambo warned that the selective use of anti-terror laws appears aimed at suppressing dissent rather than delivering justice, pointing out that individuals accused of terrorism have been released on relatively low bail amounts, contradicting the government’s narrative. She also highlighted the historical context, noting that many current leaders were once labeled criminals for dissenting against past regimes.
Civil society groups, including Amnesty International Kenya, have condemned Murkomen’s statements as dangerous and dehumanizing, arguing that they undermine the constitutional right to peaceful assembly under Article 37. Irũngũ Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya, described the comparison of Gen Z-led protests to terrorism as "deeply ironic and troubling." He raised concerns about the role of security agencies in abductions and deaths, referencing 82 reported abduction cases since June 2024, with 13 occurring in the past three months, and six individuals still missing as of December 2024.
Traders affected by the protests expressed devastation over their losses. In Nairobi’s downtown areas, shops were broken into, looted, and set on fire, leaving traders like Kelvin Ambani grappling with significant financial setbacks. Two brothers who co-own a business narrowly escaped harm after one locked himself in their shop during the chaos. They pleaded for government intervention to ensure security during future protests to protect their livelihoods.
Murkomen announced that the government is developing new legislation to regulate public demonstrations, aiming to ensure they are conducted peacefully and in accordance with the Constitution. He cited the example of protests in Mombasa, where demonstrators followed a defined route with police accompaniment, as a model for orderly protests. The proposed law would require organizers to provide details on the purpose, timing, and route of demonstrations to enable police to provide adequate security and minimize disruptions to non-participants, traders, and businesses.
The Interior CS also addressed social media misuse, warning that individuals inciting division or glorifying harmful behavior online would face action under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. Speaking in Bungoma on December 27, 2024, during a visit to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s family, Murkomen urged parents and leaders to foster positive values among the youth, lamenting the trend of celebrating negative behavior online.
President William Ruto, addressing the issue of abductions during a speech in Homa Bay, pledged to end the wave of disappearances and called for parental responsibility in guiding youth toward discipline and patriotism. The government’s stance has sparked a broader debate about balancing security measures with democratic rights, with critics warning that the misuse of terrorism laws could criminalize dissent and erode Kenya’s fragile democracy.
As tensions remain high, the government’s commitment to tightening security measures and pursuing those responsible for the violence signals a firm stance against unrest. However, the controversy surrounding Murkomen’s remarks and the government’s response to protests underscores ongoing challenges in addressing public grievances while maintaining order.