Let no life be lost - Murkomen appeals for calm ahead of protests

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has appealed to Kenyans planning to participate in demonstrations this week to do so peacefully, urging protesters and political leaders to ensure that no lives are lost during the exercise.

Murkomen acknowledged that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to assemble, picket, demonstrate and present petitions under Article 37, stressing that the government cannot take away that right.

Speaking on Sunday, the Interior CS, however,emphasisedd that the right to protest must be exercised peacefully and in a manner that respects the rights of other citizens.

"Our Constitution allows every citizen to protest, to picket, to demonstrate and to present petitions under Article 37 of the Constitution. That is a right and no government official, neither myself nor any other government officer, can take that right away from the people of Kenya," he said.

"There is also a right for our children to go to school. There is also the right to life and the right to property that the same Constitution provides."

He noted that while Kenyans are free to demonstrate, the exercise should not interfere with children's access to education, the livelihoods of traders and business owners, or the daily activities of other citizens.

"When you are exercising your right to demonstrate, it is not to say that your right is greater than the right of our children to go to school or the right of business people, including mama mbogas, to continue doing their business," he added.

Murkomen also took issue with leaders who call for demonstrations while urging people to stay away from school or work, saying such statements send the wrong message to young people and undermine efforts to instill responsible values.

He cautioned against involving young people in political battles, arguing that some leaders mobilize children and youth for protests while keeping their own families away from the streets.

"Sometimes we are not even the ones going to the streets. We are using the children of other people for political gain at the expense of their personal lives," he said.

The Cabinet Secretary urged all parties to prioritise peace and public safety during the demonstrations.

"If you want to exercise your right to protest, do it peacefully. Respect the rights of others, respect property and respect life. Please, let nobody lose life on Thursday," Murkomen said.

On June 19, President William Ruto warned against any form of illegal activity during next week's June 25 memorial march organised to honour victims of the 2024 Gen Z-led anti-government protests.

The President said participants would not be allowed to violate the rights of other Kenyans, disrupt economic activity or engage in the destruction of property.

"The one thing that is not going to happen is that people will be mobilised to destroy property or to cause chaos or mayhem. That will not happen," Ruto said.

The June 25 memorial has been organised by families, relatives and friends of those killed during the anti-government demonstrations that culminated in protesters breaching Parliament grounds on June 25, 2024, as they opposed the Finance Bill, 2024.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) placed the death toll from the protests at 60.

The memorial plans have since attracted support from civil society groups, human rights activists and members of the opposition, who have formally notified Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja of the planned procession.

Among prominent figures backing the event are former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Martha Karua, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Senior Counsel Gitobu Imanyara.

Organisers intend to march to Parliament Buildings, lay flowers at locations where protesters were shot and present a memorandum demanding justice for victims and an end to police brutality.