Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen condemns June 25 memorial violence, claims protests targeted to destabilise state
The CS condemned the criminal anarchists who, he said, in the name of peaceful demonstrations, unleashed a wave of violence, looting, sexual assault, and destruction upon our people.
An attempted coup was thwarted on Wednesday when the police halted a move by protesters to access critical government installations. This is according to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Speaking on Thursday, CS Murkomen termed the violence witnessed on Wednesday during the protest to mark the remembrance of the lives lost during last year's anti-government protests as acts of terrorism masked as civic expression.
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"What unfolded yesterday was not a protest. It was terrorism disguised as dissent. There was no peaceful demonstration; it was riots, chaos and anarchy. From the reports we get, you can see clearly who the coup plotters are. Police officers foiled a coup, and they deserve our support," he said.
CS Murkomen's briefing marks the first state reaction to the protests and the following violence witnessed on Wednesday.
"As the Cabinet Secretary responsible for your security, I address the nation today with a heavy heart. Let me, right from the outset, express my deepest sympathy to every Kenyan who endured suffering during yesterday’s protests. To the families of those who suffered harm, both members of the public and security personnel who bore the brunt of violence, and those whose livelihoods were shattered, your needless pain is our collective sorrow. The suffering inflicted upon you remains a stain on our national conscience," he added.
The CS condemned the criminal anarchists who, he said, in the name of peaceful demonstrations, unleashed a wave of violence, looting, sexual assault, and destruction upon our people.
"More than ten Kenyans were killed. Investigations on the numbers and the circumstances are still underway. Over 400 people were injured, close to 300 being police officers, some left with injuries they will carry for the rest of their lives," claimed Murkomen.
He added that Key government installations and offices were targeted, with at least nine police stations attacked, five of which were torched, including Dagoretti, Molo and Ol Kalau.
"88 police vehicles were destroyed. 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. The criminals were aiming at the officers on duty. They were after guns in the armouries and police uniforms. Five firearms were stolen in Dagoretti Police Post, Kiambu County, while four were burnt at Gachui Police Post by the very criminals who hid behind the pretence of a peaceful protest. Government offices, including courts, National Government and County Offices were looted and burnt," he added.
The CS, who earlier toured downtown Nairobi assessing the damages done to businesses in Wednesday's protests, said preliminary reports show 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 said.
The CS further added that critical infrastructure such as roads, railways, electricity and water were vandalised.
"Also of great concern to us is that 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," he added.
To the State, what happened was not spontaneous.
"It was not random. It was deliberate. It was coordinated. It was funded. It was premeditated and politically instigated. The mobilised protestors along Kiambu and Thika roads were chanting “it is time to take over power” and “occupy State House”," he said.
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