'Roads blocks were necessary', Murkomen says as he commends police
National
By
Denis Omondi
| Jul 07, 2025
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has heaped praises on police officers for standing guard in various locations countrywide to contain protests called to mark the 35th anniversary of the 1990 Sabasaba march, on Monday.
A few hours after conducting a spot check across Nairobi, CS Murkomen published a message of appreciation on his X account, thanking the uniformed officers for protecting property against criminals who may have infiltrated the demonstrations.
“This evening, I went around Nairobi City to thank our law enforcement officers who were on duty to ensure the safety of our people and the security of their property,” he wrote.
He added: “Thanks to their efforts and other officers across the country, the incidents of violence, looting, and destruction of property were reduced today compared to last week. We’re committed to ensuring that demonstrations and protests are peaceful and orderly.”
Despite expectations of peaceful assembly, Kenyans walk up to a heavy deployment of anti-riot police officers and surprise barricades, leading to the disruption of various services.
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In Nairobi, various roads leading into the city centre were blocked, effectively preventing those heading to work from accessing their places of work. Motorists and commuters were turned back on roads such as Thika Road, Jogoo Road, Mombasa Road, Ngong Road and Waiyaki Way.
Murkomen defended the decision as a necessary intervention.
“While the inconvenience faced in accessing places of work today is regrettable, the heightened security measures were necessary to ensure the safety of our people and the security of their property and business,” he said.
The police vigilance proved ineffective in some areas where looting and destruction of property were reported as goons engaged the police in running battles.
According to Murkomen, cases of vandalism, looting and violence from today’s protests were low compared to June 25.
While the Interior CS exuded satisfaction with police response, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has reported 10 deaths directly linked to the protests, some from gunshot injuries suffered at the hands of the police.
Further, 29 people checked into hospitals with injuries, two were abducted, and 37 people were taken into police custody in seventeen counties where protests happened.