Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on the Judiciary to impose severe sentences on individuals found guilty of engaging in violent protests, warning that such actions threaten national stability and public safety.
Speaking during a development tour in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Saturday, July 12, where he was accompanying President William Ruto, Murkomen said that the country risks descending into anarchy if the Judiciary does not support the Executive in firmly dealing with violent protesters and their sponsors.
“They wanted to test whether we would take legal action. We will arrest all criminals who are attacking people and burning their property. We have seen demonstrations before, but what we witnessed recently is unprecedented goons burning police stations, stealing guns, and torching courts. That’s not what Article 37 of our Constitution provides for,” Murkomen said.
“I ask the courts to be firm. If they don’t, they are going to put our country in trouble. As the Executive, we will be firm, but it is the duty of the Chief Justice and the courts to take the most severe steps to ensure we get rid of these anarchists who want to mess our country.”
Murkomen Asks Judiciary to Hand Severe Sentences to Violent Protestors
The CS went on to state that the government would apply the same constitutional powers and force used to combat banditry and terrorism to deal with individuals engaging in violent protests.
“The same power we have been given by the Constitution to deal with banditry and Al Shabaab is the same energy and strength we are going to use to deal with hooligans—people who are fighting in the streets of Nairobi, invading police stations to steal guns, burning police stations, attacking police officers, burning courts, attacking the Judiciary, setting buildings on fire, and even attempting to invade Parliament, the courts, and State House,” he warned.
Murkomen further issued a stern warning to leaders inciting or sponsoring the protests, stressing that no one will be spared.
“Every leader—whether it’s an Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Member of Parliament, Governor, or a former whoever—they will all have their day in court,” he stated.
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His remarks came a day after he doubled down on his controversial “shoot-to-kill” directive, insisting that police officers have every right to defend themselves and protect others when confronted.
Speaking on Friday during the official opening of Tarasaa Sub-County and the swearing-in of a Deputy County Commissioner in Oda, Garsen, Murkomen said his stance is neither new nor controversial, noting that previous leaders have made similar statements.
“The other day, while in Dagoretti and Kikuyu, I said that police have the right to defend themselves and protect the lives of others. And I will repeat this a million times because I’m not the first person to say it,” he said.
Murkomen claimed that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta had previously issued similar directives supporting firm police action during volatile situations.
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“If you sit in an office like the one, I hold, you must understand that your duty is to protect the lives of Kenyans and ensure the security of the country. Matiang’i said the same thing, and Uhuru said exactly what I am saying now,” he stated.
The CS also described the violence witnessed across the country during the Saba Saba and recent protests as a failed coup attempt aimed at overthrowing President Ruto’s administration.
Murkomen condemned what he termed a coordinated act of terrorism and political sabotage.
“We must say it as it is, there was no protest or maandamano. It was an attempted coup, an act of terrorism, a failed attempt to change the regime. It’s unacceptable,” he said.
“We know very well that the people who invaded courts, police stations, stole guns, and burnt stations and government vehicles, were organised by lords of violence and people who are opponents of democracy.”
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