Murkomen Reveals People Behind Deadly June 25 Protests, Declares It a Coup Attempt, Vows Justice for Affected Kenyans

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ignited a fierce national debate by declaring that the June 25 protests were not a peaceful expression of dissent but a coordinated attempt to overthrow President William Ruto’s administration. 

Addressing the media just hours after touring affected areas in Nairobi’s Central Business District, Murkomen termed the chaos that unfolded across the country as “an attempted coup” masked as public demonstrations. 

“There was no peaceful demonstration. It was riots, chaos and anarchy,” Murkomen said. “Criminal anarchists unleashed a wave of violence, looting, sexual assault and destruction upon our people. That was not a protest; it was an unconstitutional attempt to change the regime.” 

The CS painted a grim picture of the events, alleging that criminal gangs, hired and strategically deployed, specifically targeted police officers, police stations, and even armouries in a bid to disarm law enforcement. He confirmed that firearms were stolen from two police stations in Kiambu County, with some attackers donning stolen police uniforms. 

In what he described as domestic terrorism, Murkomen said businesses worth billions of shillings were looted, vandalized, or burnt down. Institutions affected included supermarkets, hotels, electronic shops, national and county government offices, and even property owned by the Catholic Church in Embu County. 

Of notable concern, Murkomen revealed that properties belonging to pro-government MPs, including Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah and Molo MP Kimani Kuria, were intentionally targeted. He argued that the attacks were anything but random, “a politically orchestrated and well-funded plan to destabilize the government.” 

To prevent a repeat of what he termed a national security breach, Murkomen announced that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had launched a full-scale probe into the events of June 25. The focus will be on identifying and arresting financiers, organizers, and perpetrators. 

“No one will be spared, regardless of their political or financial influence. The government will pursue justice relentlessly on behalf of all affected Kenyans,” the CS declared. 

Murkomen’s statement is likely to escalate political tensions in a country already deeply divided over governance and economic hardship. Critics may view the government’s framing of the protests as a “coup attempt” as an effort to justify a future crackdown on dissent. 

As the DCI moves in, and the nation reels from the aftermath, one question looms large: Was this a protest hijacked by criminal elements, or a deliberate rebellion against the state?