By Grace Gilo
Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned yesterday’s protests stating, “What unfolded yesterday was not a protest. It was terrorism disguised as dissent.”
In a press briefing, the Interior CS stated that 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,” read the statement in part.
According to the CS, more than ten Kenyans were killed. Investigations on the numbers and the circumstances are still underway. Among the people injured, close to 300 are police officers left with permanent injuries.
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, 27 National and County Government vehicles were destroyed and 65 civilian vehicles parked in various police stations including a school bus were also burnt.
He noted that the criminals were aiming at the officers on duty and 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.
Government offices including courts, National Government and County Offices were looted and burnt.
Additionally, 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,” he added.
Furthermore, 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,” he remarked.
“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,” he noted.
“What happened was not spontaneous. It was not random. It was deliberate. It was coordinated. It was funded. It was premeditated and politically instigated,” he emphasized.
CS Murkomen revealed that Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) 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,” CS Kipchumba cautioned.
Murkomen commended security agencies for exercising 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,” he expressed.
Murknomen called on the 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,” he said.
“We urge all citizens to reject and denounce violence… To peaceful citizens, the Government stands with you,” he concluded