At least nine police stations were attacked, five of them torched  during Wednesday’s protests held to mark one year since the Gen Z demonstrations against the government, the Interior Ministry has revealed.

Speaking on Thursday at Harambee House, Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen described the violence as organised and aimed at destabilising the country, with state institutions, private property, and infrastructure coming under coordinated assault.

“At least nine police stations were attacked, five of which were torched — including Dagoretti, Molo, and Ol Kalau,” said the CS. “The criminals were aiming at the officers on duty. They were after guns in the armouries and police uniforms.”

He disclosed that five guns were stolen from Dagoretti police post in Kiambu county, and four others destroyed at Gachui police post.

Murkomen said the attacks were carried out by individuals he described as “criminals hiding behind the pretence of a peaceful protest,” and accused them of deliberately planning the destruction.

What started as a peaceful commemoration of the 2024 Gen Z protests against government policies quickly turned violent in several towns across the country.

Murkomen reported that 88 police vehicles were destroyed during the clashes.

He added that 27 government vehicles, belonging to both county and national administrations, were vandalised. A further 65 private vehicles — including a school bus — were damaged while parked inside police compounds.

Government offices, including courts and county administrative buildings, were also attacked, with some looted and set on fire.

“The criminals targeted kiosks, supermarkets, electronic shops, hotels, and restaurants. Just like government infrastructure, business and residential premises were burnt — including one owned by the Catholic church in Embu county,” said the CS.

He said businesses suffered huge losses, with properties worth billions destroyed or looted.

The violence also affected key infrastructure, with electricity systems, roads, water networks and railway lines vandalised.

Murkomen further said that some of the attackers deliberately went after property owned by government-aligned leaders.

“Of great concern to us is that the organisers targeted homes and businesses of elected leaders who support government,” he said.