NAIROBI, Kenya – Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has commended police officers deployed during Monday’s Saba Saba protests, lauding their professionalism in protecting lives and property while exercising restraint in the face of heightened tensions.
Speaking in Nairobi after touring various deployments within the metropolitan area, Murkomen said the enhanced security measures helped minimise damage in the Central Business District and across the country, though he acknowledged they caused major disruptions to daily life.
“To the Kenyans inconvenienced as a result of this security situation, poleni sana,” said the CS. “We wanted you to be safe and your property protected.”
He thanked the security teams for their efforts, noting that without their intervention, the scale of destruction could have mirrored the chaos witnessed during the June 25 demonstrations.
“If it was not for your work, we would today be discussing the kind of damage we saw last week,” Murkomen said, referencing the arson attacks and looting reported during previous protests.
Murkomen reiterated that while the role of the police is to enforce law and order, they are often unfairly dragged into politically charged situations.
“Political problems are not police problems,” he said. “Yet, individuals who refuse to settle their differences peacefully end up placing the burden on our security forces.”
The CS also confirmed that several suspects linked to the violence on June 25 have already been arrested and charged with terrorism-related offenses, and more arrests are expected.
“We will pursue all those behind the chaos to protect both citizens and officers,” he said.
Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo, who accompanied Murkomen during the tour, assured Kenyans that the government was working to improve police welfare and capacity.
“We shall do everything to ensure our country remains safe — both for those who want to express themselves and those who just want to go about their business without interruption,” said Omollo.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Deputy IG of Administration Police Gilbert Masengeli also attended the briefing.
The 35th Saba Saba anniversary was marked by widespread protests in at least 20 counties, with multiple reports of police confrontations, casualties, and arrests.
Rights groups and legal observers have raised concern over excessive use of force and the deployment of masked officers in unmarked vehicles.
