Murkomen: 1,500 arrested, 50 under terror investigation following June-July protests
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, the suspects are part of what the government describes as 'coordinated criminal groups' responsible for widespread violence and destruction.
50 people are currently under investigation by the Serious Crimes Investigations Unit, while 71 cases are being handled by the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) for offences related to acts of terrorism following demonstrations that hit multiple parts of the country on June 25 and July 7, 2025.
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, the suspects are part of what the government describes as 'coordinated criminal groups' responsible for widespread violence and destruction.
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He disclosed that close to 1,500 suspects had been arrested across the country and were facing charges including terrorism, murder, robbery with violence, sexual assault, arson, malicious property damage and targeted attacks on strategic infrastructure.
The CS said public facilities and private businesses were left counting heavy losses after the attacks, which targeted police stations, government offices, vehicles and even a hospital.
“The anarchists targeted police stations, government offices, vehicles, and a hospital. This disturbing trend of targeting police stations, stealing firearms and ammunition, points to a coordinated attempt to subvert the state’s ability to guarantee law, order, and public safety,” Murkomen said.
“When a police post or station is raided or razed, it leaves the public at the mercy of dangerous criminals.”
Murkomen condemned the acts, saying the scale of violence witnessed was unprecedented.
“The violence and destruction witnessed across the country in recent weeks were on a scale that has never been witnessed before. It is incumbent upon us, therefore, to nip it in the bud with the full force of the law. This is what our people expect of the government, and this is what the government will, and must do,” he said.
Murkomen recounted the attacks, saying, “Kenyans watched in disbelief as the brazen attacks on our security installations unfolded on social media and television.”
At Dagoretti Police Post, the CS said criminals stole firearms and razed residential buildings housing officers and their families. In Kikuyu, a mob torched the Kikuyu Police Station, Kikuyu sub-county headquarters, the National Registration Bureau offices, county offices, the Assistant Chief’s office, Kenya Forest Service (KFS) offices, Kikuyu Law Courts, as well as Dagoretti Police Post.
Four vehicles at Dagoretti Police Post, including that of the officer in charge, were damaged. Murkomen said nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the Dagoretti attack.
“Five guns were stolen from Dagoretti Police Post, while another four firearms were burnt in Gachui Police Post. One of the guns stolen in Dagoretti on the 25th of June was used to commit robbery in Naivasha the following day,” Murkomen disclosed.
In Matuu Police Station, eight officers were injured and government vehicles vandalised. Eighteen suspects have since been charged.
Murkomen said 66 suspects linked to the burning of a gas tanker along Kitui Road in Machakos County on July 7 have also been arrested and charged.
In another incident, arsonists stormed Olkalou Police Station, killing three suspects who were in custody before setting ablaze 26 vehicles, 18 county government motorcycles, an exhibit store and the report office. In Nakuru County, Viwandani Patrol Base in Naivasha was razed, while in Shauri Moyo, criminals stole a firearm loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition.
“Across the country, a total of 16 police stations and posts were either burnt or destroyed on the two days of terror,” he said.
Private businesses were also not spared. In Naivasha, Nakuru County, Murkomen said looters raided Naivas, Powerstar and Khetias supermarkets before setting Powerstar supermarket ablaze.
“A total of 100 people have been arrested in Nakuru County and charged with various crimes concerning these acts of criminality,” Murkomen said.
Similar looting occurred in Ruiru, Kiambu County, where Quickmart and Carrefour supermarkets lost property worth millions. 86 arrests were made.
In Nyeri Town, Naivas supermarket was looted, and 21 suspects were arrested. Mountain Mall in Nairobi’s Kasarani area was targeted, leading to the arrest of three suspects. Kassmart supermarket in Githurai 44 was also attacked.
In Eldoret, Khetias supermarket was raided, with 12 suspects arrested. In Meru County, Magunas supermarket was set ablaze, allegedly using a petrol bomb, with alcoholic drinks stolen from 711 Bar and Selenite Supermarket also looted. 40 suspects have been arrested in Meru.
In Kirinyaga County, 21 suspects linked to looting Nice City supermarket were arraigned. Gangs torched the Kirinyaga Central NG-CDF offices, leading to four arrests, while two suspects were charged over looting County Supermarket in Kagumo town.
At Kitengela Sub-County Hospital, Murkomen said gangs stormed the operating theatre during an emergency caesarean section, terrorising patients and medical staff.
“Two suspects have been arrested and arraigned. The two were granted cash bail of Sh50,000. These lenient bail terms are unacceptable. It is in hospitals that we seek refuge at our most vulnerable moments, and to infringe on this privacy is an offence most foul,” the CS said.
The Ministry commended security agencies for foiling further destruction and wished a quick recovery to those injured during the unprecedented violence.
“The operation was made possible through timely intelligence, which revealed plans to target critical infrastructure, including transport systems,” he said.
He added that intelligence-led operations had led to the arrest of masterminds, financiers, and instigators of the violence.
“Those who incited, organised, funded, or executed these attacks will face the full force of the law. The financiers and political sponsors of this mayhem are being investigated and will soon answer for their crimes,” he warned.
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