Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning that anyone who invades, vandalises, or destroys government or private property will be treated as a terrorist under Kenyan law and face terrorism charges.

The CS said such actions meet the legal threshold of terrorism, emphasizing that perpetrators will face the full force of the law.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Murkomen cited the June 25 and July 7, 2025, demonstrations, highlighting the destruction of police stations, public offices, and private businesses as clear examples of terrorism.

“You don’t have to be Osama bin Laden to be a terrorist. Once you invade a police station, burn a court, supermarket, or a government installation, create fear, disrupt emergency services like medical or transport, you are a terrorist. What remains is to go through the court process to determine culpability,” he said.

He added that financing such activities is an even more serious offence and warned that many underestimate the severity of terrorism charges until conviction.

“These things are laughable until the day of conviction. It’s still a joke until you are convicted of terror, then you realise the consequences it brings to you, your loved ones, and anyone close to you,” Murkomen said.

Although normalcy largely returned after the 2024 anti-finance Bill protests, the CS noted that political actors used social media campaigns such as #OccupyStatehouse, #OccupyEverywhere, and #SirinNiNumbers to mobilise fresh demonstrations in June and July, without notifying police as required by law. The National Police Service (NPS) only learned of the planned protests through media reports.

Chaos and violence

Murkomen said some organisers assured security agencies of peaceful demonstrations. “Contrary to those assurances, the protests quickly escalated into chaos and violence, culminating in looting, arson and widespread destruction of public and private property.”

He detailed that the unrest led to the torching of nine police stations and posts, the deputy county commissioner’s office, court buildings, supermarkets, and numerous private businesses, causing heavy economic losses and disrupting essential services.

During the Saba Saba protests, 25 people were killed, 45 civilians were injured, and 170 police officers were wounded. On June 25, nearly 600 people sustained injuries, including 496 law enforcement officers.

Public facilities, such as the Dagoretti Police Post, were targeted, with criminals stealing firearms and torching residential buildings housing police families.

Similar attacks occurred in Kikuyu, Machakos, Kakamega, Kisii, Meru, and Nairobi.

Guns stolen

Murkomen also reported that firearms stolen from police posts were later used in robberies, with suspects disrupting hospital operations and emergency surgeries.

Mobs looted goods worth millions of shillings from supermarkets across multiple counties. In total, 16 police stations and posts were destroyed during the unrest.

“These events were well-orchestrated and coordinated with the intention of inciting unrest, destabilising public order and undermining national stability,” Murkomen said.

He emphasized that the police are constitutionally mandated to maintain law and order during demonstrations.

He cited Article 37 of the Constitution, which allows peaceful assembly, but explained that the right is limited under Article 24 to protect public order, safety, and the rights of others. Under the Public Order Act, organisers must notify police in writing at least three days before protests, including details such as names, estimated numbers, and planned routes.

To prevent further violence, Murkomen said police patrols have been intensified in high-risk areas, while the Ministry is pushing for increased budgetary support to strengthen operational capacity.

He also highlighted the adoption of modern policing tools, including drones, digital communications, incident mapping, and real-time intelligence networks. Authorities are engaging community leaders and civil society to encourage peaceful resolutions and issuing advisories to discourage unlawful acts.

Arrests

Murkomen stressed that prosecutions are crucial in deterring future offences, revealing that about 1,500 people have been arrested nationwide on charges including terrorism, murder, robbery with violence, sexual assault, arson, malicious damage to property, and attacks on strategic infrastructure.

He said 15 individuals linked to protest planning and mobilisation have been charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, alongside offences such as unlawful assembly, incitement to violence, destruction of public property, aiding and abetting unlawful acts, and unlawful possession of ammunition and canisters.

Investigations are ongoing to identify more financiers and mobilisers, with forensic analysis of financial records, company registrations, and NGO activities underway.

The NPS is working with agencies including the National Intelligence Service, Communications Authority, Registry of Companies, Financial Reporting Centre, and National Transport and Safety Authority to expedite cases.

Police directives and accountability

Murkomen said anyone challenging his directives to police during last month’s protests should refer to the instructions he issued on police use of force.

"I made the statement consciously knowing that the responsibility to make police officers accountable is with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and this is the ministry that has a policy responsibility to ensure that police officers are responsible, in our Jukwaa la Usalama forums where we have been meeting all the OCSs in every county, the sub county commanders, the county commanders, the county security teams- I have also made it clear that the police officers should be respectful to the people of Kenya, should not apply excessive force and should protect themselves when their lives are in danger," he said.

He explained that in high-risk areas such as Samburu, Tana River, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Baringo, the use of force may differ due to life-threatening conditions.

"The directive I gave is uniform, not just for protests. Any citizen who wants to hold me accountable before a court of law or parliament can pick the policy directive and hold me to account."

Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, who was arrested during the unrest, questioned the CS about the use of terrorism charges.

“I want to ask Waziri whether, while giving statistics (and I have seen many young people being charged with terrorism in Kahawa), he is genuine in pushing for such enormous charges that we know are charged to people like Osama Bin Laden and Al-Shabaab,” the MP said.

Murkomen confirmed that organisers of the demonstrations following Albert Ojwang's killing on June 17, 2025, did not notify the National Police Service.

“The police learnt of the planned demonstrations through the media, prompting the responsible commanders to make immediate arrangements, including the deployment of officers to maintain public order and ensure public safety,” he said.

He added that groups of youths assembled in various locations, chanting ‘Justice for Ojwang’, and soon engaged in running battles, hurling stones, breaking into shops, and looting property.

“This prompted the deployment of police officers to restore order and public safety. To quell demonstrators who had turned into violent rioters, some of whom were breaking into shops, looting property and engaging the police in running battles across the streets, an unfortunate incident occurred in which Boniface Kariuki was shot. The act is deeply regrettable and unjustified since the officers should have used minimal force to flush him out,” Murkomen said.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority took over the investigations. PC Klinzy Barasa Masinde and PC Duncan Kiprono were interdicted and arraigned before court to face appropriate charges.

On allegations that police supported armed groups, Murkomen said, “According to the police analysis, there were two groups engaged in running battles within the CBD, one group purportedly peaceful demonstrators and the other protecting their properties and business premises. Police officers responded to restore order and public safety without taking sides with any of the two groups.”