We didn't want to take chances! Murkomen says on road barricades

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the government's decision to barricade roads and mount security checks across Nairobi during the anniversary of the Gen Z protests.

The CS said that authorities acted on intelligence reports indicating that criminal groups planned to infiltrate the demonstrations.

Speaking on Thursday after protests, Murkomen said the government was determined to prevent a repeat of previous incidents in which protests were marred by violence, looting and attacks on innocent civilians.

"We never wanted to take any chance. There was available intelligence that some people wanted to bring in goons and criminals to do looting and to attack innocent civilians. I said today is a normal working day, and it is true. Largely 99 per cent, if not 99.5 per cent, of the citizens across Kenya continued with their business as usual," he said.

Murkomen acknowledged that the security measures inconvenienced some Nairobi residents but argued that they were necessary to safeguard critical installations, including Parliament and other protected facilities that had previously been targeted during demonstrations.

"As a result of the security measures carried out by police officers, which included mounting security checks, unfortunately some people were inconvenienced. But some security installations and protected areas under the law were protected by the police," he said.

The CS added that fears of possible unrest may also have contributed to lower turnout in Nairobi's central business district, with many residents opting to stay away from town as a precaution.

"I think a number of Nairobians felt like there was going to be chaos like in the past, where politicians and political players mobilise goons and criminals and gangs to come and attack people," he said.

Murkomen described Thursday's demonstrations as an example of how peaceful protests should be conducted, noting that processions held in Nairobi and Mombasa by families, friends of victims and members of the public proceeded without major incidents.

"This is proof that when demonstrations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, peace and security are guaranteed. This is the political culture we should encourage and promote as a country," he said.

According to the CS, security agencies established screening points on major roads leading into Nairobi after receiving credible intelligence that individuals were being ferried into the city to disrupt peace.

"Security screening was therefore mounted on major roads into the city this morning to keep the would-be troublemakers at bay. As a result, relative calm prevailed in the city and its environs," he said.

Murkomen said the government regretted the inconvenience caused by the heightened security measures but praised their effectiveness in maintaining order and protecting businesses and residents.

He expressed hope that future demonstrations would continue to be conducted peacefully without disrupting the lives of citizens who are not participating in the protests.

"Today's development is encouraging. It was largely business as usual in all towns across the country," he said.