The dust may be settling from Wednesday's youth-led anti-government protests that swept across various parts of Kenya, but the government's post-mortem paints a grave picture of calculated chaos. In a stark address to the media on the state of national security, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed a staggering human toll, with 300 police officers and approximately 100 civilians injured, bringing the total number of casualties to around 400. More significantly, Murkomen unequivocally declared that the widespread attacks on security agencies were not mere protest-related skirmishes, but rather part of a sophisticated "coup plot" designed to destabilize the nation.
The Interior CS articulated a chilling theory behind the violence, particularly the targeting and invasion of police stations. "From yesterday's protests, there is a particular pattern and in particular constituencies where police stations are being targeted," Murkomen stated, laying bare his suspicions. "I suspect, the burning of police stations was supposed to help the coup plotters make a statement that there is no country and that there is no authority."
This narrative was further amplified by the apparent motives behind some of the attacks, including the theft of firearms and police uniforms. "That is why you see they want the guns and police uniforms to show that the uniform is degraded so that there is no authority in the country. That is the entire mission of what happened yesterday," Murkomen asserted, promising firm action to ensure the nation remains secure. This assessment frames the destruction of government property and the targeting of security symbols as deliberate acts aimed at undermining the very fabric of state authority, rather than spontaneous acts of protest.
Echoing these serious sentiments, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja commended the police force for what he termed a "sterling job" in maintaining security despite immense challenges. Kanja highlighted the personal sacrifices made by officers, noting that some of the more than 300 injured had sustained "life-threatening injuries." He assured the injured officers and their families of the government's unwavering support, underscoring the dangers inherent in their duties during such volatile situations. "We appreciate our brave police officers who did a sterling job yesterday by ensuring our country remained secure despite the many challenges that were there," Kanja affirmed, standing in solidarity with his force.
The Inspector General also delivered a stern warning to those deemed "criminal elements" who allegedly infiltrated the protests. "We are coming for you and you must have your day in court so that you can be able to answer for your criminal activities," Kanja declared, signaling a resolute commitment to bringing perpetrators of violence and destruction to justice. This stern message indicates a robust investigative and prosecutorial response from law enforcement against individuals identified as engaging in criminal acts under the guise of protest.
