Category Archives: Experience

Interior CS Murkomen Labels June 25 Gen-Z Protests an “Attempted Coup” Amid Rising Tensions

NAIROBI, Kenya – June 27, 2025

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, has labeled the Gen-Z-led protests of June 25 an “attempted coup,” following widespread unrest that left at least 10 people dead, over 300 police officers injured, five police stations torched, and hundreds arrested across the country.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, Murkomen condemned the demonstrations—initially sparked by opposition to the Finance Bill 2025—as having morphed into what he described as a “coordinated and well-funded insurrection.” The protests, which were largely organized through social media by young Kenyans, quickly escalated into violent confrontations in multiple cities, including Nairobi, Kisumu, and Nakuru.

“What we witnessed on June 25 was not a protest—it was an attempted overthrow of the government by misguided youth being manipulated by faceless actors,” Murkomen stated during a press briefing.

Rising Casualties and Destruction

Government officials confirmed that at least 10 civilians were killed during clashes with police, though independent human rights groups suggest the number may be higher. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has called for an independent investigation into police conduct, citing reports of live ammunition being used against unarmed demonstrators.

More than 300 police officers were injured, and five police stations—primarily in Nairobi and Western Kenya—were set ablaze, according to Ministry of Interior data. Public property, including vehicles and government offices, also suffered extensive damage during the unrest.

Mass Arrests and Ongoing Investigations

Hundreds of protesters have been arrested nationwide, many of whom are facing charges ranging from unlawful assembly to destruction of public property and incitement to violence. Authorities have vowed a thorough investigation, with Murkomen hinting at potential foreign influence behind the coordination of the protests.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is currently analyzing digital evidence, including online posts and fund transfers, in an effort to identify the “masterminds” of what the Interior Ministry has characterized as a national security threat.

Public Reaction and Political Fallout

The Interior CS’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions. While some government allies have backed Murkomen’s tough stance, opposition leaders and civil society groups have accused the government of attempting to criminalize legitimate dissent.

Azimio coalition leaders demanded the immediate release of detained protesters and called for a parliamentary inquiry into the government’s response. Amnesty International Kenya, meanwhile, issued a statement warning that “the labeling of youth-led protest movements as a coup attempt sets a dangerous precedent for democratic expression.”

What Comes Next

As tensions remain high, security has been reinforced in major urban centers with anti-riot units deployed preemptively to prevent further demonstrations. President William Ruto is expected to address the nation amid growing calls for dialogue and de-escalation.

The Gen-Z protest wave, which began as an online campaign against taxation and government accountability, has become one of the most significant youth-led movements in Kenya’s recent history—now raising profound questions about governance, civic space, and the power of digital mobilization.

Kenyans Begin Cleanup After Deadly Protests Leave Trail of Destruction

 June 26, 2025

Nairobi, Kenya — Streets across Nairobi and more than two dozen counties were strewn with debris Thursday morning, as residents and business owners began clearing the aftermath of one of the deadliest days of protest in recent Kenyan history. The demonstrations, which marked the one-year anniversary of the 2024 anti-tax uprising, spiraled into widespread unrest, looting, and clashes with police.

According to Amnesty International Kenya and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 16 people were killed, all reportedly shot by security forces. More than 400 others were injured, including protesters, journalists, and law enforcement personnel.

In downtown Nairobi, traders were seen sweeping broken glass and salvaging stock from torched stalls. One shopkeeper in the city center estimated his losses at over $15,500, while another in Gikomba Market reported his entire stock of fabric reduced to ashes.

“We woke up to find our life’s work gone,” said one trader. “How can we be expected to survive when the government doesn’t listen and the police shoot our children?”

The violent turn of events followed peaceful rallies that quickly escalated into confrontations after police deployed tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds. In several counties, demonstrations were infiltrated by looters who vandalized shops and set buildings ablaze. The destruction not only devastated livelihoods but also intensified calls for dialogue between the government and protesting youth.

On social media, images of burned-out storefronts and injured demonstrators trended under hashtags like #JusticeForOjwang and #Mandamano2025, referencing both the broader movement and the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, whose recent custodial death helped reignite national anger.

In response to the chaos, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki condemned the destruction, labeling some of the activity as “coordinated criminality.” He vowed arrests for those caught on CCTV looting or vandalizing property.

However, civil society groups pushed back, warning against blanket criminalization of demonstrators. “The government must listen,” said Irũngũ Houghton of Amnesty Kenya. “These protests reflect a deep societal frustration with injustice, corruption, and impunity.”

As clean-up efforts continue, traders and families affected by the violence are now seeking government compensation and guarantees of safety. Meanwhile, activists are calling for an independent investigation into the killings, the reinstatement of press freedoms, and a formal recognition of the grievances raised by Kenya’s youth.

Whether the state responds with reforms or further crackdowns remains to be seen. But on the streets of Nairobi, the dust is only just beginning to settle.

Casualties Mount as Human Rights Concerns Deepen in Wake of June 25 Protests

June 26, 2025

Nairobi, Kenya — A day after nationwide demonstrations rocked Kenya, conflicting reports on casualties have raised alarm among human rights groups and watchdog agencies, deepening concerns over the government’s handling of protests and its commitment to constitutional freedoms.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 8 people were confirmed dead, with over 80 others seriously injured across the country during the June 25 protests. The Commission also noted that more than 400 individuals—including journalists, protesters, and police officers—were harmed in varying degrees, and approximately 60 people were arrested.

However, Amnesty International Kenya issued a parallel report contradicting the official government figures, asserting that the death toll had risen to 16, with at least five fatalities attributed directly to live ammunition fired by security forces. Amnesty further confirmed that over 400 people sustained injuries, and echoed the KNCHR’s figure of 60+ arrests nationwide.

“These numbers reflect a shocking disregard for the right to peaceful assembly,” said Irũngũ Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty Kenya. “The government has a constitutional obligation to protect, not punish, its citizens when they express dissent.”

Gruesome footage and eyewitness accounts circulated widely on social media, showing scenes of chaos, brutality, and bloodshed, particularly in Nairobi’s CBD, parts of Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret. Victims included students, medics, and freelance journalists, some of whom were reportedly assaulted while attempting to document the events.

Independent medical groups who volunteered during the protests also confirmed receiving dozens of patients with gunshot wounds, fractures, and tear gas injuries. One volunteer medic described the situation as a “war zone.”

The growing casualty figures have prompted widespread condemnation from local and international observers. Human Rights Watch and the United Nations Human Rights Office have both issued statements urging the Kenyan government to launch independent investigations and hold accountable any officers found to have used excessive force.

“This level of violence during civic protests is unacceptable and erodes the democratic principles Kenya is built on,” said a spokesperson from the UNHRO Office in Nairobi.

President William Ruto’s administration has yet to officially comment on the diverging reports, but Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki promised a “comprehensive review” of law enforcement actions during the protests.

In the meantime, civil society groups have vowed to continue pressuring the state for justice and reforms. Plans for legal action and further demonstrations are already taking shape, as Kenya once again finds itself at a critical crossroads between state authority and civil liberties.