Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, has addressed the media regarding the June 25, 2025, protests, clarifying that Gen Z protesters did not engage in acts of vandalism such as torching police stations or looting NCPB stores, despite widespread reports of such incidents during the protests.
Kagwe spoke during his ongoing tour of Nakuru County on Friday, July 4, 2025.
According to Mutahi Kagwe, some criminals hijacked the Gen Z protest, spoiling the intended peaceful demonstrations held on June 25th.
Kagwe emphasised that there was confusion since criminal elements plunged themselves into the midst of the demonstration arranged by Gen Z.
While affirming the constitutional right of every Kenyan to peacefully picket or protest, Kagwe condemned the rising cases of property destruction, terming them acts of anarchy that undermine the spirit of lawful demonstrations.
The CS for health further challenged the government to act, ” I therefore call on the Ministry of Interior to take decisive action, ensuring that criminal elements do not hijack the Gen Z movement to disrupt livelihoods and threaten national stability,” Kagwe said.
Looting
The protests, marking the one-year anniversary of the Gen Z uprising that led to the storming of Parliament on June 25, 2024, have seen significant violence, with at least 16 deaths and hundreds injured, highlighting a broader context of political unrest and government crackdowns in Kenya.
The vandalism of NCPB depots, including the looting of over 7,354 bags of fertiliser valued at Ksh29.5 million, has been condemned by the government as a direct threat to Kenya’s food security, with Kagwe emphasising the criminal nature of such actions and calling for a swift police response.
While issuing this clarification, Kagwe urged citizens to remain vigilant and take civic responsibility in safeguarding public and private property, warning that criminals must not be allowed to operate under the cover of legitimate protests.
His sentiments come after security agencies and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced plans to crack down on those who were involved in wanton destruction of property and looting.
So far, several persons have been apprehended while others have already been arraigned in connection with protests looting and destruction of property.
