Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen reveals June-July protests left 42 dead, 600 injured

The Ministry of Interior recorded 42 deaths and close to 600 injuries from what the government describes as coordinated acts of criminality, not protests, following demonstrations that hit multiple parts of the country on June 25 and July 7, 2025.

According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, the violence witnessed during those two days was deliberate and orchestrated, targeting innocent citizens and businesses.

“On June 25 and July 7, 2025, criminals in different parts of the country visited raw and unprecedented terror on innocent citizens, causing distress, disruption, mayhem and untold destruction,” Murkomen said.

He explained that marauding gangs and anarchists attacked private businesses, thrusting many Kenyans into poverty after years of hard work were lost overnight.

“In this chaos, 42 Kenyans regrettably lost their lives, and close to 600 were injured. Out of these injuries, 496 were law enforcement officers. This is unacceptable. One life lost is one too many. We mourn every life lost and extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the affected families. To those who suffered injury, loss, and trauma on those two fateful days of sheer terror, we say poleni sana,” said the CS.

Murkomen maintained that the violent incidents were not protests but acts of “pure, premeditated criminality, deliberate, dangerous, and deeply disturbing.”

He accused unnamed individuals of sponsoring the unrest to subvert the Constitution.

“The right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, march unarmed and present petitions to authorities is guaranteed by our Constitution - that cannot be taken away. But invasion of hospitals, rape, attack on ambulances, looting of businesses, forcible entry of protected areas, vandalism, erection of illegal roadblocks and torching of government installations, including police stations and administrative offices, are vile crimes and must be treated as such,” he said.

Murkomen urged Kenyans to reject violence and use constitutional means to express grievances, warning those behind the chaos that the government will act decisively.

“To the financiers, organisers and executors, take note… This reign of terror against the people of Kenya and the impunity of criminal gangs must come to an end at whatever cost,” he said.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has so far recorded 38 deaths linked to the Saba Saba Day protests, with over 130 people still recovering from injuries sustained during the unrest.

In a statement last Friday, KNCHR Chairperson Raymond Nyeris expressed concern over the rising fatalities and the high number of youth among the victims.

“The Commission observes that the death toll has now risen to thirty-eight (38) people as of 1800hrs today,” he said.

Nyeris disclosed that 14 of the 15 postmortems conducted so far confirmed gunshot wounds as the cause of death, including that of a 12-year-old girl who was shot while watching television inside her home in Kiambu.

According to KNCHR, 130 people remain injured in hospitals and at home. The fatalities have been recorded in Kiambu (8), Nairobi (6), Kajiado (6), Nakuru (4), Kirinyaga (3), Murang’a (3), Embu (2), Meru (2), Laikipia (2), Nyandarua (1), and Nyamira (1). Among the dead are four women and two children, with most of the victims being youth aged below 25.

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• Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen reveals June-July protests left 42 dead
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The Commission, working with the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), said it is assisting bereaved families with postmortems. However, it raised concerns that many families cannot afford the procedures despite a government-issued waiver.

“The families claim they are also being charged postmortem fees in addition to other medical and mortuary bills contrary to the waiver issued by the Government,” read the statement.

“A majority of these families are underprivileged and unable to pay the bills.”

KNCHR has urged the Ministry of Health to immediately and unconditionally scrap all medical charges incurred by victims. It also called for postmortems to be conducted promptly and transparently, in the presence of independent pathologists, IPOA and legal representatives.

The Commission also urged Kenyans to report all human rights violations using official channels, affirming its commitment to protecting human rights.