Kipchumba Murkomen Condemns Violence, Looting Witnessed During Gen Z Protests: "Hijacked by Gangs"
- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the Wednesday, June 25, demonstrations were deliberate and well-funded
- He said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is investigating the financiers of the protests, whose main aim was to overthrow the government
- In a video address, the Interior Cabinet Secretary regretted that hundreds of traders have lost livelihoods built through hard work
Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has broken his silence over the violence witnessed during the Gen Z demonstrations.
Source: Getty Images
On Thursday, June 26, the Interior CS toured parts of Nairobi's Central Business District to assess the damage caused by the protests.
Murkomen, who visited small-scale traders affected by the Gen Z demos, stated that what began as peaceful demonstrations was hijacked by organised gangs.
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"This morning, I assessed the situation in our capital city, prioritising a visit to small-scale traders affected by yesterday’s protests in Nairobi. I was taken aback by the unfortunate incidents of violence that marred the protests. What began as a constitutionally protected expression of public concern was sadly hijacked by organized gangs," Murkomen said.
The Interior CS regretted that hundreds of traders have lost livelihoods built through hard work, just because of lawlessness by some Kenyans.
"This kind of lawlessness not only undermines the spirit of our democracy but also causes unnecessary suffering for innocent Kenyans. Hundreds of traders have been affected, and businesses and livelihoods built through hard work and dedication have been lost," he added.
Murkomen added that the Kenya Kwanza government is working to restore normalcy and security in affected parts of the country.
Source: UGC
Were Gen Z protests funded?
CS Murkomen alleged Wednesday’s protests were part of a coup attempt, likening chaos to ‘acts of terrorism,’ adding that the DCI team is investigating suspected financiers.
"It was terrorism disguised as dissent. There was no peaceful demonstration. It was riots, chaos and anarchy, and therefore we condemn the criminal anarchists in the name of peaceful demonstrations, who unleashed a wave of violence, looting, sexual assault and destruction upon our people," he said during a press briefing.
Murkomen stated that the demonstrations were not spontaneous but deliberate and well-funded by powerful individuals.
"What happened was not spontaneous or random; it was deliberate, coordinated, funded and premeditated and politically instigated. The mobilised protesters, especially on Kiambu and Thika road, were chanting It's time to take out power and occupy State House," the CS said.
He was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector General-APS Gilbert Masengeli, senior security officers in Nairobi, and other leaders.
How did MPs react to protests?
Members of Parliament dedicated part of their Thursday evening session to reflect on the events that played out on Wednesday, June 25.
Pro-government lawmakers condemned the demos, claiming they were sponsored to disrupt businesses and vandalise government installations to cause "anarchy".
They pointed an accusing finger at former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, whom they alleged had financed the chaos.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, who doubles as the National Assembly minority leader, claimed that the goons targeted businesses owned by the people from Mt Kenya, including leaders who support the government.
He claimed the pattern of destruction was predictable and had a chain of command from "a tribal leader".
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwah made similar allegations, going further to disclose that his businesses, offices and parents were targeted by goons.
Molo MP Kimani Kuria, whose house was vandalised last year during the Anti-Finance Bill protests, claimed there was a second attempt to storm his compound.
Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina, was trapped in his supermarket in Nyeri after being cornered by protesters. He locked himself in one of the rooms until calm was restored.
Last year, Wainaina's supermarket was vandalised and property worth millions was looted.
Gachagua has denied any links to the June 25 protests.
How many people died during Gen Z protests?
In related news, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) revealed that over ten people were killed and 207 were injured during the Gen Z protests.
IPOA said it had launched investigations, given that the police allegedly shot some of those who died.
During the protests, many armed gangs looted various businesses in the CBD, and others burnt public properties.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
