On Wednesday, 25th June 2025, Kenya witnessed scenes of
profound pain and violence in the name of the right to
peaceful assembly. True, peaceful protests, free expression
and picketing are enshrined in our Constitution and
specifically in Article 37.
As the Cabinet Secretary responsible for your security, I
address the nation today with a heavy heart. Let me, right
from the outset, express my deepest sympathy to every
Kenyan who endured suffering during yesterday’s protests.
To the families of those who suffered harm, both members of
the public and security personnel who bore the brunt of
violence, and those whose livelihoods were shattered, your
needless pain is our collective sorrow. The suffering inflicted
upon you remains a stain on our national conscience.
What unfolded yesterday was not a protest. It was terrorism
disguised as dissent. There was no peaceful demonstration, it
was riots, chaos and anarchy.
Let me, therefore, state unequivocally, that we condemn the
criminal anarchists who in the name of peaceful
demonstrations unleashed a wave of violence, looting, sexual
assault, and destruction upon our people.
More than ten Kenyans were killed. Investigations on the
numbers and the circumstances are still underway. Over 400
people were injured, close to 300 being police officers, some
left with injuries they will carry for the rest of their lives.
Key government installations and offices were targeted. At
least nine police stations were attacked, five of which were
torched including Dagoretti, Molo and Ol Kalau. 88 Police
vehicles were destroyed.
A total of 27 National and County Government vehicles were
destroyed and 65 civilian vehicles parked in various police
stations including a school bus were also burnt.
The criminals were aiming at the officers on duty. They were
after guns in the armouries and police uniforms. Five firearms
were stolen in Dagoretti Police Post, Kiambu County, while
four were burnt at Gachui Police Post, by the very criminals
who hid behind the pretence of a peaceful protest.
Government offices including courts, National Government
and County Offices were looted and burnt. Businesses worth
billions of shillings, were massively looted.
The criminals targeted kiosks, supermarkets, electronic
shops, hotels and restaurants, among others. Just like
Government infrastructure, business and residential
premises were burnt, including one owned by the Catholic
Church in Embu County.
Critical infrastructure such as roads, railway, electricity and
water were vandalized. Also of great concern to us is that the
organizers targeted homes and businesses of elected leaders
who support Government, including the homes and
businesses of National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani
Ichung’wah, Molo MP, Kimani Kuria, Mathira MP, Eric
Wamumbi, Kieni MP, Njoroge Wainaina, MP Mbeere South,
Eng. Bernard Muriuki and Laikipia East MP, Mwangi Kiunjuri,
among others.
This was not just violence. It was an orchestrated campaign of
terror, an assault on our people, our Constitution, our
institutions, our values, and the very soul of this Republic.
What was billed as a peaceful protest was, in truth, a
calculated disguise, a coordinated descent into chaos
masked as civic expression.
Beneath the banner of democratic rights, we witnessed a
well-orchestrated campaign of political violence.
What happened was not spontaneous. It was not random.
It was deliberate.
It was coordinated.
It was funded.
It was premeditated.
And politically instigated.
The mobilized protestors along Kiambu and Thika roads were
chanting “it is time to take over power” and “occupy State
House”.
The massive looting had a clear motive to cause fear and
target properties of politicians and civilians allied to the
Government.
The orchestrators of the violence went back to the safety of
their homes leaving Kenyans at the mercy of goons and
criminals.
Is this the scenario which a section of church leaders and
foreign diplomats wanted uncontrolled? Is this the precursor
to the Christmas party that we were promised?
There was however, a notable exception to the orchestrated
chaos. Peaceful protesters in Mombasa, followed a defined
route and specified timelines accompanied by law
enforcement officers. This is what was envisaged in Article 37
of our Constitution.
The Inspector General of Police, through the Directorate of
Criminal Investigations is carrying out investigations to
apprehend and bring to justice the organisers and financiers
of this well-orchestrated campaign of violence. Rest assured
that the Government will pursue justice relentlessly on behalf
of all affected Kenyans. No person will be spared regardless
of their political or financial status.
Our security agencies exercised remarkable restraint amid
extreme provocation. I want to say this to the brave officers
injured while protecting Kenyans, property, key installations,
including Parliament, Judiciary and State House against
riotous and no doubt hired thugs we feel your pain and
sacrifice that embody the truest expression of patriotism.
It is now urgent for us as a nation to put in place a legal
framework that operationalises Article 37 of the Constitution
to ensure that demonstrations are carried out in an orderly
manner.
This entails providing sufficient information on the planners,
purpose, day, time and route, among other details to enable
the police to provide adequate security and to ensure that
demonstrations are not happening in areas that will
inconvenience Kenyans who do not want to take part, traders
and other business people.
We urge all citizens to reject and denounce violence. We
must deny criminals the chance to exploit legitimate
grievances.
We welcome dialogue with all stakeholders including the
youth, grassroot voices, traders and business leaders, civil
society, and religious groups to address systemic issues that
affect Kenya.Kenya’s strength lies in our unity. To those who
seek chaos, our resolve to protect our motherland is
unbreakable. To peaceful citizens, the Government stands
with you.
