The Ministry of Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has called for peace ahead of the Saba Saba protest.
Speaking in Meru on Sunday, July 6, 2025, Murkomen expressed concern that some people were announcing plans to conduct a peaceful demonstration, but it turned violent.
He added that, unlike the previous protests, modern protests lacked any peace, noting that courts, police stations, and administrative offices were burnt during the recent demos, adding that he was baffled as to how such plans could be called protests.
“Kuna tabia ya watu wanatangaza ya kwamba wanafanya maandamano kulingana na kipengele ya 37 wanasema wako na haki ya demonstration na picketing. Hiyo ni haki ya kikatiba lakini mimi na shanga sana hii demonstrations ya siku hizi hakuna Amani ndani hii mipango yote wale wanapanga tu vita, kuchoma court, kuchoma police station na kuchoma administrative unites na shangaa sana kuwa hiyo ni protest ya aina gani,” Murkomen said.
“Namimi nasikia watu wengi wakiongea na chenye wanaongea ni police hajafanya hii hajafanya ile wale wanatumia violence kufanya siasa ndi wanaharibu nchi yetu.”
Murkomen on protests
The CS further said that the police are not involved in politics and are finding it increasingly difficult to stop those who incite chaos to advance their political agendas.
He appealed to Kenyans to reject leaders who use disorder for political gain, adding that politicians should return to peaceful, civil politics.
“Police hawako katika siasa police wanapata kazi ngumu kusimamisha wale wanatumia fujo kufanya siasa mimi naomba Wakenya tuwakatae wale viongozi wanatumia fujo kufanya siasa yao turudi kwa siasa ya amani,” he added.
Murkomen stated that his ministry will ensure the country remains peaceful and recognised that every citizen has the right to demonstrate, but only if the protests are peaceful.
He clarified that demonstrations involving the burning of shops, looting property, or causing destruction cannot be tolerated and emphasised that they have a responsibility to stop such actions.
“Sisi tutahakikisha inchi imekuwa na amani na mwamanchi yeyote ako na haki ya kufanya maandamano lakini ikuwe maandamano ya Amani, maandamano yenye unaenda kuchomea ndugu yako duka yake, kupora mali yake, tuko na jukumu ya kusimamisha mambo kama hayo,” Murkomen added.
