NAIROBI – June 24, 2025: Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a firm directive to the National Police Service (NPS) to crack down on armed protesters ahead of the Gen Z demonstrations scheduled for June 25 across Kenya.
Speaking during a State House breakfast event honoring FKF Premier League champions, Murkomen claimed that certain political leaders were orchestrating violence by arming young people with machetes and crude weapons under the guise of peaceful protests.
“We’ve received notice from some politicians—who ironically condemned riots a few months ago—that they are now purchasing clubs and pangas for youth. And they expect us to stand by and do nothing?” said Murkomen.
“Police Must Be Ruthless” – CS Warns
The CS emphasized that while the Constitution provides for peaceful assembly, the government will not tolerate armed lawlessness in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) or elsewhere.
“The National Police Service must be ruthless with criminals. We want a country governed by law, not chaos,” he declared.
Murkomen’s remarks come amid heightened tensions ahead of Gen Z Day, a memorial protest organized by opposition leaders to honor youth killed during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
Focus Should Be on Youth Empowerment, Not Exploitation
The CS urged political figures to stop exploiting young people, insisting that Kenya’s youth deserve platforms like sports and entrepreneurship, not street battles.
“They should be scoring goals, not running battles. Let’s empower them with opportunities, not violence,” Murkomen said.
He also pledged the ministry’s readiness to meet with families who lost loved ones during last year’s deadly protests.
“Regardless of the politics, we are open to dialogue with families. Let’s support them directly—not through political opportunists,” he added.
Related: Families urge leaders not to politicize Gen Z memorials
Murkomen: Learn from UK and U.S. Security Models
Recalling the June 25, 2023 invasion of Parliament, Murkomen called it one of Kenya’s worst security breaches and said such acts would be inconceivable in more mature democracies.
“In the UK or U.S., even suggesting an attack on government buildings online would trigger arrests. We cannot entertain a repeat of what happened last year,” he warned.
