Author: Eric Biegon

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has commended security agencies for their role in maintaining law and order during Thursday’s demonstrations across major towns. He stated that their preparedness and intelligence-led operations successfully prevented criminal elements from infiltrating demos to cause chaos.

Updating the nation on the security situation following the 25 June protests, Murkomen said the demonstrations were largely peaceful, with no widespread incidents of looting, vandalism, skirmishes, or injuries. He said this was evidence that demonstrations can be conducted peacefully when organisers and participants adhere to the law.

“Today is proof that when demonstrations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of our Constitution, peace and security are guaranteed. This is the political culture we should encourage and promote as a country,” he affirmed.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, families of victims from previous protests, their friends, and members of the public participated in peaceful processions in Nairobi and Mombasa, while most towns across the country reported normal business activity throughout the day.

Murkomen attributed the relative calm to proactive security measures undertaken by law enforcement agencies after receiving intelligence reports indicating that criminal groups planned to infiltrate the demonstrations.

“Acting on credible intelligence that goons were being ferried from other parts of the country to cause a breach of peace in Nairobi, our security agencies took measures to protect businesses in the city and avert chaos,” he stated.

As part of these efforts, he said security agencies instituted checks along major highways leading into Nairobi to prevent suspected troublemakers from accessing the city.

“Security screening was mounted on major highways into the city this morning to keep would-be troublemakers at bay. As a result, relative calm prevailed in the city and its environs,” he explained.

Murkomen acknowledged that the security checks inconvenienced some motorists and travellers but maintained that these measures were necessary and effective in protecting lives, property, and businesses.

While commending the peaceful conduct of most demonstrators, the Interior CS noted that a small number of individuals attempted to engage in criminal activities under the guise of the protests.

He disclosed that 355 suspects were arrested in connection with offences ranging from robbery and vandalism to road obstruction and attempted theft. Nairobi recorded the highest number of arrests, followed by Kajiado and Kiambu counties.

The Cabinet Secretary stated that those arrested would be arraigned in court to face charges.

Murkomen also reported that an assistant chief from Murang’a County sustained injuries after being attacked by individuals attempting to erect a barricade in Kandara. According to the CS, the administrator received treatment and was discharged in stable condition.

He praised security officers deployed across the country, noting that their professionalism and effective planning played a crucial role in ensuring public safety.

“I commend our security agencies for their commitment and dedication to maintaining law and order. They acted with utmost professionalism and responded promptly to concerns raised by wananchi. We salute them for their effective organisation and meticulous planning,” he said.

He also commended media houses and journalists for their responsible and accurate reporting throughout the day, which helped keep the public informed.

Murkomen reiterated that the government remains committed to facilitating peaceful demonstrations while firmly addressing individuals who seek to exploit such events to commit crimes or undermine public order.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, has assured Kenyans that the police will safeguard peaceful demonstrators while taking firm action against those who exploit the June 25 protests for violence and criminal activity.

Masengeli says the police would monitor and isolate individuals attempting to incite violence and disorder.

Speaking in Nairobi during an inspection of the security situation, Masengeli affirmed the National Police Service’s commitment to upholding the constitutional right to peaceful assembly while maintaining law and order.

“As police, our duty is to ensure the safety of everyone. Everybody has a right, but your right does not suspend other people’s rights. So, I request each and everyone to remain and confine themselves within the rule of law,” he said.

Masengeli acknowledged that organizers of the demonstrations had formally notified the police, in accordance with the law, enabling security agencies to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate the protests and protect participants.

“Today we knew because the demonstrators presented themselves. We have no problem because they have a right to demonstrate and we will protect them. We will escort them and even if they want a police band, we will provide it,” he stated.

However, the Deputy Inspector General warned that police would not tolerate individuals attempting to disrupt public order, destroy property, or interfere with the rights of other citizens.

“We are not preventing anyone; only those few individuals with ill intentions to hinder others from conducting their businesses will face the law. But for peaceful demonstrations, we have no objection,” he said.

According to Masengeli, security officers have intensified surveillance and screening measures to prevent criminal elements from infiltrating the demonstrations and compromising public safety.

“There are no restrictions for demonstrators. We want to ensure they demonstrate safely and are properly protected, while preventing those with malicious intent from joining their ranks,” he explained.

He clarified that vehicle inspections in some areas are routine policing measures aimed at detecting weapons and other dangerous items that could be used to cause harm during the demonstrations.

Masengeli also expressed satisfaction with the situation across much of Nairobi, noting that most residents had continued their daily activities without disruption.

“Citizens are going about their normal daily activities. I am happy because everyone has respected each other’s rights. I see no cars or motorbikes being set alight, and people are continuing with their work as usual,” he observed.

He reiterated that the police would have no issue if citizens exercised their democratic rights responsibly while respecting the freedoms of others. Masengeli called on protesters, business owners, and the general public to continue cooperating with security agencies to ensure the demonstrations remain peaceful and free from violence.

He reiterated that the police service remains focused on protecting lives, property, and constitutional freedoms, while taking decisive action against anyone who uses the protests as a cover for criminal conduct.

Chief Justice Martha Koome has called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to enforce the Electoral Code of Conduct firmly and impartially, following a rise in electoral violence.

Speaking at the launch of the IEBC Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and Election Operations Plan at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Koome stated that the commission must exercise its constitutional mandate without fear or favour to safeguard the integrity of future elections.

“Political violence, intimidation, hate speech, and the use of criminal gangs have no place in our democracy.” she asserted

The Chief Justice stressed that elections should serve as platforms for citizens to evaluate ideas, policies, and leadership, rather than as arenas for threats, coercion, and disorder.

According to Koome, the Judiciary has provided legal clarity affirming the commission’s power to curb such conduct, which it ought to exercise to ensure a level playing field.

“The Supreme Court in the landmark IEBC vs. Sabina Chege (2023) has already affirmed the Commission’s authority to enforce compliance with the Electoral Code of Conduct, and Kenyans rightly expect accountability for all electoral actors,” she said.

While commending the commission for developing a forward-looking electoral plan, Koome reiterated that credible elections are founded on robust laws, strong institutions, active voter participation, and public trust.

She urged Parliament to prioritise the enactment of the proposed Elections Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and Political Parties (Amendment) Bill, 2026, arguing that these reforms would enhance legal certainty and electoral integrity.

The Chief Justice also highlighted the growing role of technology in election management, noting that digital systems can improve efficiency and transparency but require robust safeguards.

She called for stronger measures to protect electoral data and systems from emerging threats, emphasising the importance of cybersecurity, accountability, and transparency in the use of technology during elections.

Koome also underscored the necessity of inclusive democratic processes, stating that the meaningful participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalised communities remains essential to the legitimacy of electoral outcomes.

She further appealed to all institutions involved in the electoral process to collaborate in protecting Kenya’s democracy and strengthening public confidence in elections.

“Ultimately, public trust is the true measure of electoral success, and every Kenyan must be able to approach the polling station with confidence that their vote will count and their voice will be heard,” she said.

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has reiterated that the government neither deploys nor hires individuals to cause disruption in functions.

The CS asserts that Kenya’s security operations are exclusively managed by trained police officers mandated by law.

“The government does not handle goons. The specific institution that deals with the investigation and arrest of criminals, including goons, is the National Police Service. And they have done well under the circumstances,” he stated.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV Monday night, Murkomen dismissed allegations linking the state to the use of irregular groups during political activities or protests, affirming that the government possesses sufficient security personnel to manage all situations lawfully.

“The government does not deploy anti-protest goons. The government has enough police officers to deploy. Our police officers are properly trained to act depending on the circumstances,” he said.

The Cabinet Secretary warned against violence, particularly linked to political activities. He noted that the country is grappling with widespread “goonism”, a loosely organised form of hired disruption predominantly employed by members of the political class.

He explained that, unlike structured criminal syndicates, ‘goons’ are temporary groups assembled for specific assignments, often associated with political mobilisation.

“Goons are somewhat loose; they are not fully organised. Goons are temporary; they are hired for a day by a specific person to carry out a particular task,” he explained.

Murkomen warned that this practice has become deeply embedded in the political culture, where young people are recruited and incentivised to instigate chaos at public functions.

“This menace of goonism has been persistent in our country for far too long, deeply permeating our political culture. It involves the use of young people to cause chaos at public functions,” he lamented.

He added that while some groups initially appear harmless during political rallies, they can quickly turn violent once mobilised or paid.

“Goons, most of the time, appear very harmless. They attend meetings, escort leaders/politicians, and clear paths for them to enter and exit rallies. But eventually, when they are incentivised—and usually, they are hired—they carry out criminal activities like those we have seen across the country,” he detailed.

Murkomen further contended that most incidents of political violence stem from hired groups utilised by competing political actors, rather than spontaneous public disorder.

He confirmed that the government is actively arresting suspects and ensuring they face legal processes, with ongoing investigations in several cases nationwide.

As part of efforts to curb the trend, the CS stated that security agencies are working to dismantle networks that facilitate the recruitment and financing of such groups, warning that those involved will be prosecuted.

At the same time, Murkomen defended the overall performance of the current administration in security matters, noting a significant decline in major crimes across Kenya.

“In this administration, we have managed to reduce crime generally across the board,” he said, highlighting that the country is no longer heavily confronted by terrorism, robbery with violence, or large organised gangs previously active in parts of the country.

He attributed the shift in the security landscape to strengthened policing and sustained investment in the security sector, even as authorities continue to address politically linked disruptions.

Murkomen maintained that the state will continue to respond firmly to criminal activity while safeguarding lawful public order, particularly during political events and demonstrations.