NAIROBI, Kenya- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has assured Kenyans that security agencies are prepared to facilitate peaceful demonstrations during Thursday’s June 25 commemorations, while warning that the government will deal firmly with criminals seeking to exploit the protests.
Speaking on the eve of the demonstrations, Murkomen said the government respects the constitutional right of every Kenyan to assemble, picket and demonstrate peacefully, adding that police had received notifications from citizens intending to hold public protests across the country.
“Tomorrow is a normal working and school day. However, the police are in receipt of a notification by some citizens who would like to engage in public demonstrations,” Murkomen said.
He added that police officers had been instructed to provide security and guide demonstrators in accordance with the law.
The Interior CS emphasized that Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees the right to assemble and demonstrate, provided the protests remain peaceful and unarmed.
He urged organizers and participants to conduct themselves within the law and avoid actions that could endanger lives or property.
At the same time, Murkomen claimed that some political actors were attempting to use the demonstrations for political purposes and mobilize criminal gangs to infiltrate the protests.
“It has come to our attention that some political actors are planning to use the protests for their political campaigns and are hellbent to mobilise goons, gangs and criminals with all manner of crude weapons to cause mayhem,” he said.
He warned that security agencies would act decisively against anyone involved in looting, destruction of property, attacks on businesses or other criminal activities under the guise of lawful demonstrations.
Earlier this week, Murkomen said police had been instructed to use minimal force while protecting lives and property, but maintain a tough stance against criminal elements who infiltrate peaceful gatherings.
He also ruled out any plans to shut down media houses during the protests, describing the media as an important partner in democracy.
The June 25 demonstrations are expected to mark the second anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests that culminated in the storming of Parliament and left dozens of people dead, injured or missing according to rights groups.
Organizers have described this year’s events as peaceful memorial processions aimed at honouring victims and demanding accountability.
Murkomen’s remarks come amid heightened security preparations across the country, with police, hospitals and emergency services activating contingency plans ahead of the demonstrations.
Human rights groups have meanwhile urged security agencies to exercise restraint and uphold constitutional freedoms during the commemorations.