Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed claims of police brutality during Wednesday’s nationwide protests, which left at least 10 dead and hundreds injured, calling the demonstrations “terrorism disguised as dissent.”
Speaking at a press briefing, Murkomen praised security forces for showing “remarkable restraint” in what he described as an “attempted coup” against President William Ruto’s government.
The protests, marking one year since a previous wave of deadly unrest, saw thousands march across Kenya, chanting “Ruto must go” and waving tree branches as symbols of peaceful resistance. However, clashes erupted as demonstrators targeted government buildings, with nine police stations attacked. Five of those were set ablaze, and five firearms were stolen. Dozens of vehicles, including police and civilian cars, were also destroyed.
Murkomen confirmed over 400 injuries, including nearly 300 police officers, though rights groups dispute the figures. Amnesty International reported at least 16 fatalities, all from gunshot wounds.
The minister condemned what he called “criminal anarchists” exploiting peaceful protests to commit violence, looting, and sexual assault. “This was not a protest; it was an unconstitutional attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government,” he said.
Authorities have launched investigations into the casualties and circumstances of the clashes. However, rights groups accuse police of excessive force.
The government initially banned live TV and radio coverage of the protests, a move later overturned by the Nairobi High Court. The Law Society of Kenya condemned security forces for “unnecessary aggression and brute force,” blaming them for “senseless loss of life.”
Human rights monitors reported at least three injured police officers but emphasized that most casualties were civilians.
The protests reflect deepening public anger over economic hardship and alleged state repression. President Ruto, who came to power promising reform, now faces mounting pressure over his administration’s heavy-handed response to dissent.
As investigations continue, calls for accountability grow louder, with activists demanding an independent probe into the killings. The government, however, remains defiant, framing the unrest as a threat to national stability rather than a cry for reform.
With tensions still simmering, Kenya risks further unrest unless dialogue replaces crackdowns. The world watches as the Ruto government balances security concerns with demands for justice, a test of democracy in one of Africa’s most influential nations
