Kenya protests are ‘coup attempt’, says minister
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Kenyan minister defends police as deadly protests spark outrage, mourning, and calls for justice
Kenyan Minister Calls Deadly Protests a Coup Attempt
Minister Defends Police Amid Rising Death Toll
Kenya’s Interior Minister has fiercely defended the country’s police force following deadly protests that left at least 10 people dead. In a televised statement, Kipchumba Murkomen denied claims of police brutality, instead labeling the protests as “terrorism disguised as dissent” and “an unconstitutional attempt to change the government.”
He praised security agencies for their “remarkable restraint amid extreme provocation” and claimed their actions helped “foil an attempted coup.”
Violence and Destruction Across the Country
Murkomen said the protests targeted government institutions, with nine police stations attacked, five of them burned down. Five guns were reportedly stolen during the chaos. He also confirmed that more than 400 people were injured, including nearly 300 police officers.
Dozens of vehicles—both government and civilian—were destroyed during the unrest, which the minister characterized as criminal and anarchic behavior.
Rights Groups Dispute Government Narrative
While the government confirmed 10 deaths, Amnesty International reported a higher toll of 16, all from gunshot wounds. Human rights organizations and legal groups are strongly disputing the official account.
The Law Society of Kenya condemned the use of force, stating that “unnecessary aggression and brute force” by police officers resulted in “senseless loss of life.”
Tragedy for Families Caught in the Crossfire
Among the victims were teenagers caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. David Mwangi, 19, was fatally shot while picking up his younger brother from a tuition center in Nairobi’s Mukuru informal settlement.
His mother, Rachael Nyambura Mwangi, shared her grief with the BBC: “David was my helper, my first-born. He wanted to become a mechanic.” Tearfully, she recounted how a bullet went through her son’s head, leaving her devastated.
In Molo, 17-year-old student Dennis Njuguna was also killed. According to his mother, Jecinta Gathoni, Dennis had just left school when he was struck. “He was in his final year. I had so much hope in him,” she said, adding she hadn’t yet been able to bring herself to visit the morgue.
Protests Mark a Grim Anniversary
Wednesday’s demonstrations came exactly one year after a similar wave of deadly anti-government protests. This year’s protests saw thousands of Kenyans take to the streets, expressing outrage at President William Ruto’s leadership and demanding an end to police violence.
Protesters carried tree branches—symbols of peace—and chanted “Ruto must go” as they marched through city streets.
Media Ban Sparks Legal Challenge
In a move that drew widespread criticism, the government initially banned live television and radio coverage of the demonstrations. The order was swiftly challenged and overturned by the Nairobi High Court. The media ban has since been lifted, but it added fuel to the anger surrounding the state’s response to public dissent
Ongoing Investigations and Public Skepticism
The government says investigations are underway to determine the full number of casualties and understand the circumstances behind the violence. However, many citizens and human rights advocates remain skeptical of the official narrative.
Human rights organizations said that at least three police officers were also injured in the confrontations, but emphasized that the loss of civilian life remains the greatest tragedy.
A Nation Divided Between Order and Rights
The Kenyan government maintains it acted to preserve order and prevent what it calls “a coup in disguise.” However, civil society groups continue to demand justice for victims and accountability for the security forces’ conduct.
As protests continue to surface in various parts of the country, the balance between national security and citizens’ rights is once again at the forefront of Kenya’s political conversation.
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