Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said the government is ready to engage in conversations with families of those who died during the anti-government protests held in June 2024.
Speaking during a breakfast meeting with FKF Premier League champions at State House on June 24, 2025, Murkomen stated that the government is open to discussions aimed at understanding how best to support the affected families.
“As a ministry, we are ready to meet the families of those who, unfortunately, lost their children as a result of these political acts. It doesn’t matter what happened; from a human perspective, we are ready to meet their families, have a conversation with them and see what else we can do to support them,” he said.
“Our doors are open, and I am sure even President William Ruto’s doors are open to meet these families. We want to ask political actors to give space for such conversations to happen,” he added.
Activists and youths are expected to hold nationwide protests on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, marking one year since the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations of June 2024.
The upcoming protests, largely mobilised via social media, aim to honour the lives lost during last year’s march to Parliament and to call for justice and accountability in cases involving alleged police brutality.
Murkomen also commented on recent online posts threatening to invade the State House during the planned protests.
He noted that such statements would face serious consequences in other countries.
“It is only in Kenya where someone can post on social media that they will invade State House, the Judiciary or Parliament and walk free. In other jurisdictions, such threats are not taken lightly,” he said.
He gave examples of countries like the UK and the US, where similar statements would lead to immediate legal action.
Murkomen further addressed concerns about armed individuals disrupting previous protests in Nairobi. He urged law enforcement officers to take firm action against anyone found planning or engaging in violence during the upcoming demonstrations.
“We have received information indicating that some groups are attempting to arm young people with crude weapons to cause disturbances in the city. The police must act decisively to uphold law and order,” he said.
He also cautioned leaders who had previously opposed unrest but are now reportedly backing the protests, urging consistency and responsibility in their public positions.
Opposition leaders and youth groups, commonly referred to as Gen Zs, have vowed to take to the streets on June 25 in memory of those who died during the 2024 demonstrations.
“This is not just an anniversary, this is a call for justice,” reads a viral poster circulating online, as groups plan rallies in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and other major towns.
The 2024 protests were triggered by the Finance Bill, which introduced new taxes on essential goods and services.
What began as peaceful demonstrations turned violent after protesters breached Parliament grounds, prompting a police response.
