Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a warning to goons who hijacked the Gen Z-led protests to loot businesses, torch government property, and cause nationwide chaos, declaring that the government is coming for them “hard.”
Speaking to the media on Thursday after inspecting damaged properties, Murkomen said what started as peaceful demonstrations was quickly overtaken by criminal gangs who unleashed destruction across the country.
“What happened yesterday was not random. It was deliberate, it was coordinated, it was funded. It was premeditated and politically funded,” he stated.
He said the attackers specifically targeted businesses, government facilities, and supporters of the government.
According to the CS, at least 88 police vehicles, 27 National and County government vehicles, and 65 civilian vehicles were destroyed during the unrest.
In a more alarming development, five firearms were stolen from Dagoreti Police Station in Kiambu County.
Murkomen condemned the attacks on small and medium enterprises, stating that the criminals looted kiosks, supermarkets, electronics shops, restaurants, and even banks, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
“These criminals took advantage of the protests to destroy livelihoods, knowing well that many of these business owners took loans from banks and shylocks to stay afloat,” he said.
He further revealed that the attacks were not random.#
“The organisers targeted the homes and businesses of leaders who supported the government, like Kimani Ichung’wah, Molo MP Kuria Kimani, and others. This was a direct attack on those who stand with the government,” Murkomen said.
Describing the events as acts of terrorism, Murkomen said the violence was well-planned and politically sponsored.
Murkomen assured Kenyans that security agencies have launched full-scale investigations into the violence and that arrests will follow.
“We are coming for you hard,” he reiterated.
He said that the government will not allow criminal elements to hide behind protests to destabilize the country and terrorize citizens.
He promised that justice will be served and that those who attacked Kenya’s economy, security institutions, and innocent business owners will face the full force of the law.
