Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned the recent wave of violent protests witnessed in parts of the country, saying they were far from peaceful demonstrations and instead amounted to a failed attempt to overthrow the government.

Speaking during a development tour of Elgeyo Marakwet County on Saturday, July 12, Murkomen insisted on accountability following the destruction of property and attacks on public institutions, warning that the state would not hesitate to prosecute those involved, regardless of their political or social standing.

“They wanted to test whether we would take legal action. We will arrest all criminals who are attacking people and burning their property,” he said, emphasizing that the government is firmly committed to restoring law and order.

Murkomen distanced the events from Article 37 of the Constitution, which protects the right to peaceful assembly, noting that the recent actions went far beyond what the law permits, calling on Chief Justice Martha Koome to deal firmly with the perpetrators of recent protests that have seen police stations being burnt, businesses looted, and property destroyed.

“We have seen demonstrations before, but what we witnessed recently is unprecedented: goons burning police stations, stealing guns, and burning courts. That’s not what Article 37 of our constitution provided for,” he stated.

The CS further insisted that those behind the chaos were not merely protesters but orchestrators of violence with a clear political agenda. He described the unrest as “an attempted coup” and “an act of terrorism” aimed at destabilizing the country.“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.

Murkomen also hinted at political figures possibly being behind the unrest, warning that legal consequences would follow, no matter their position or influence. “Any leader, whether an MCA, MP, governor or whatever position, will have their day in court,” he declared.

He concluded by blaming the chaos on “lords of violence and people who are opponents of democracy,” accusing them of organizing and funding attacks on government facilities.