Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has urged the courts to stand firm and continue applying terrorism charges against individuals involved in violent protests.
Speaking in Eldoret on July 23, 2025, at the start of his Jukwaa La Usalama engagement in the county, Murkomen faulted the Law Society of Kenya for siding with criminals instead of law-abiding citizens who have lost property worth billions of shillings during the so-called protests.
“The Prevention of Terrorism Act is clear and unambiguous. Orchestrating violence, endangering life, creating serious risk to public health or safety, causing serious property damage, using firearms or explosives, and interfering with essential services are all terrorist acts. How better can we define those using petrol bombs to burn courts and other critical infrastructure?” he posed.
Court to Continue Charging Protesters With Terrorism
Additionally, the CS told courts not to be intimidated to give lenient bail terms to those arraigned for these offences, saying that the people of Kenya deserve the protection of the law.
Further, the CS stated that it has said the State will not relent in its terrorism charges against individuals engaging in terrorist acts.
Also Read: What Constitutes Terrorism, Charges and Fines- Experts
Murkomen Slams LSK
In his address, he called on the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, to support the rule of law, which includes charging suspects in court.
“I saw the interview of the LSK President, and she was arrogating herself the position of a judge. How did she determine that the evidence we gave in court is not watertight? The question of threshold is a court process.
“I was expecting LSK and the Opposition to support us on this so that going forward we can have peaceful protests.”
He stated that once a matter is in court, the LSK President can either choose to support the suspects as a defence lawyer or stand with the people of Kenya who have suffered property losses during the violent protests.
Also Read: Murkomen Issues First Policy Directive to IG Kanja on Use of Firearms and Force by Police
LSK Criticizes Koome Over Alleged Abuse of Terrorism Charges
His remarks come a day after the LSK issued a statement criticizing the state for the terrorism preferred against protests.
LSK criticized Chief Justice Martha Koome over a past remark, which it claims has contributed to the alleged misuse of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) by law enforcement to press terrorism charges against protesters and activists.
“Her Ladyship the Chief Justice made a sensational remark that the burning down of the court was an act of terrorism. While we joined the Judiciary in condemning the burning and vandalism of courts, we must recognize the responsibility borne by the Justice sector in how we call for law and order,” said LSK President Faith Odhiambo, in a press statement.
The lawyers’ body also condemned the application of anti-terror laws against civilians, including young protesters and activist Boniface Mwangi, arguing that the legislation was never intended for such use.
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