Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the move to restrict access to Nairobi Central Business District during Saba Saba Day on Monday.
Murkomen said the move was aimed at protecting the business and people against goons who have been invading previous protests.
On Monday morning, several roads leading to Nairobi CBD were barricaded forcing motorists to find alternative roots to reach their destinations.
The move also saw thousands of long distance travelers getting stranded as they could not access CBD to get to their destinations.
However, Murkomen apologized for any inconvenience caused saying it was all in good faith and that their intentions were positive.
"The structures that we put in place today, many goons and criminals did not get a chance to invade properties but also at the same time, many Kenyans got inconvinienced, some Kenyans were unable to access their offices, others out of fear of what happened last week did not want to continue with their businesses and therefore, I would like to tell Kenyans who feel inconvinienced as a result of security operation to tell you poleni sana, we had to do this because we wanted you and your property to be safe," Murkomen said.
"Our intentions are positive, our desire is to save lives and property for Kenyans. All Kenyans should be home and happy that as much as possible, the National Police Service and police officers have minimised the damage today."
He, however, said there were situations reported where goons looted shops, and buildings were burned.
He said the police will investigate all the incidences related to the marking of the Saba Saba Day protests and take appropriate actions.
The CS further commended police officers, saying they did a good job of securing Kenyans and their properties.
"Thank you very much because, if it was not for the work you did, we could be discussing the kind of damage that we witnessed last week and therefore, as we come to the end of the day, I thought it was neccessary for us a team from the ministry to come and say thank you to you all. I know it is not you alone, we have officers across the country who have done their best to contain criminals and goons who were infiltrating peaceful protests by citizens," he said.
Murkomen added that police have done a good job in dispersing the protests as opposed to the violence observed in the previous ones.
The CS further said that suspects who were involved in the June 25, 2025, protests, causing violence, have been arrested.
