Saba Saba: CS Murkomen expresses regret over Nairobi lockdown, emphasises security first
CS Kipchumba Murkomen hailed the government’s decision to restrict access to Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), saying the move was necessary to safeguard businesses and public property from criminal elements.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the security measures enforced during the Saba Saba Day protests, saying they helped deter destruction and looting, even as he acknowledged that many Kenyans were inconvenienced.
Speaking Monday, Murkomen hailed the government’s decision to restrict access to Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), saying the move was necessary to safeguard businesses and public property from criminal elements who have previously hijacked peaceful protests.
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“The structure that we put in place today, many goons and criminals did not get a chance to invade properties. But also at the same time, many Kenyans got inconvenienced. Some Kenyans were unable to access their offices. Some Kenyans, also out of fear of what happened last week, did not want to continue with their businesses,” Murkomen said.
He noted that the government regrets the disruption caused, but insisted the intention was to prioritise safety.
“I want to tell all Kenyans who felt inconvenienced as a result of this security operation, we are sorry. We just had to do this because we wanted you to be safe, and we wanted your property to be safe. Our intention is positive. Our desire is to save lives and to save property for Kenyans,” he said.
Murkomen thanked the National Police Service and all officers deployed across the country for what he described as a commendable effort to maintain order.
“Thank you very much because if it was not for the work you did, we could be discussing the kind of damage that we witnessed last week.
As we come to the end of the day, I thought it was necessary for us as a team from the Ministry to come and say thank you to you all. I know it is not you alone, we have officers across the country who have done their best to contain criminals and goons who were infiltrating peaceful protests by citizens,” he said.
Thousands of Kenyans were left stranded on Monday after major roads into the capital were barricaded, with long-distance travellers and workers forced to turn back or find alternative routes.
Despite the inconveniences, Murkomen maintained that the police had significantly reduced the potential for damage.
“All Kenyans should be home and happy that as much as possible, the National Police Service and the police officers have minimised the damage today,” he said.
However, he admitted that there were still isolated incidents of unrest.
“I know, of course, there are situations that have already been reported. In one place, some shops were looted. In another, some buildings were burnt. The National Police Service is going to investigate all these incidents related to today’s maandamano (protests) and then they will take appropriate action,” he said.
Murkomen also noted that suspects involved in the violent protests of June 25, 2025, had been apprehended, and the government would continue to deal with those found culpable.
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