Murkomen: Police ready to secure June 25 Gen Z memorial protests

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has assured Kenyans that police are prepared to provide security and guide protesters during the planned June 25 demonstrations, even as he emphasised that the protests must remain peaceful and unarmed.

Speaking while addressing the nation on the eve of the nationwide demonstrations, Murkomen said the National Police Service had already received notifications from citizens intending to hold public protests and would facilitate the exercise in line with constitutional provisions.

“Tomorrow is a normal working and school day. However, the police are in receipt of a notification by some citizens who would like to engage in public demonstrations,” Murkomen said.

“Police are therefore ready to provide security and guide the protesters tomorrow according to their request.”

The planned demonstrations are expected to be held across the country as Kenyans, particularly Gen Z activists, mark two years since the June 25, 2024, anti-Finance Bill protests that left scores of people dead and injured.

Murkomen said the government recognises and respects the constitutional right of every Kenyan to assemble and demonstrate peacefully.

“The government respects the constitutional rights of all Kenyans to peacefully assemble for whatever reason on any day, any time,” he said.

Citing Article 37 of the Constitution, the CS noted that every person has the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities, provided they do so peacefully and without weapons.

“Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees every person the right, peacefully and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions to public authorities,” he said.

“Please underline the words peacefully and unarmed. That is not me, that is the Constitution.”

Murkomen called on organisers and participants to conduct themselves within the law and avoid actions that could endanger public safety or disrupt peaceful demonstrations.

“We call upon all organisers and participants to conduct their demonstrations within the bounds of the law, ensuring they remain peaceful and unarmed,” he said.

His remarks come amid heightened preparations by various institutions ahead of the memorial processions.

Earlier in the day, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Police Reforms Working Group issued a seven-point public safety advisory to police, urging officers to facilitate peaceful demonstrations, avoid excessive use of force and protect journalists, medics and human rights observers.

The rights groups reminded police that protest notifications are intended to facilitate coordination and public safety and should not be interpreted as requests for permission to demonstrate.

They also warned against the use of live ammunition, unlawful arrests, attacks on journalists and obstruction of emergency medical services, citing past incidents that resulted in deaths and injuries during public protests.

The advisory further called on police commanders to ensure all deployed officers are identifiable, exercise lawful command responsibility and prioritise dialogue and de-escalation in managing crowds.

Meanwhile, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has activated emergency preparedness measures ahead of the demonstrations.

In an internal memo, the hospital directed all consultants and Senior House Officers on call within the Surgical Division to remain available to respond to any emergencies or casualties that may arise during the protests.

The hospital said the arrangement is intended to ensure uninterrupted emergency clinical services and adequate preparedness throughout the day.

The June 25 demonstrations are expected to take place in several towns and cities across the country, with organisers describing them as memorial processions to honour those who lost their lives during the past years' protests while continuing calls for accountability.