Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen when he arrived for a security meeting in Turkana/MINAInterior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the government’s transparency on the number of fatalities linked to the June 25 and July 7 anti-government protests.
The CS insisted that the official figure of 42 deaths is based on verified data from the National Police Service (NPS).
Speaking amid growing scrutiny over the government’s response to the demonstrations, Murkomen addressed discrepancies between state figures and those released by human rights organisations, who have placed the total death toll at 61.
“The figures I shared are based on verified police records,” Murkomen said.
“If the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), a national body, reports a higher figure, we do not dispute it. But our numbers come directly from law enforcement officers who conducted physical analyses.”
According to NPS data, 17 deaths occurred on June 25 and 25 on July 7 (Saba Saba).
The demonstrations were marked by widespread confrontations between protesters and police in multiple counties.
Human rights groups, however, have expressed concerns that the official figures may understate the scale of the loss.
In response, Murkomen signaled the government’s willingness to harmonise the data.
“There is no gain in hiding numbers,” he said. “We are ready to tally the figures together for the sake of transparency and accountability.”
The CS emphasised that the right to life is paramount, saying, “Every life lost is deeply regrettable. We take the matter seriously and are committed to proper investigations.”
Murkomen made particular reference to the tragic case of 12-year-old Bridget Njoki Wainaina, whose death during the Saba Saba protests has sparked national outrage.
The young girl was shot by a stray bullet while watching television with her parents at their home in Ndumberi village, Kiambu County—a full two kilometers from the protest zone.
According to eyewitness accounts and the family, the bullet was fired during a confrontation between police and protesters outside.
It pierced the wall of the family’s home and struck Bridget. She was rushed to St. Bridget’s Hospital, but despite resuscitation efforts, she succumbed to her injuries.
Murkomen, speaking during a security meeting in Turkana County, acknowledged the incident, calling it “very painful” and vowed that investigations would be conducted to ensure accountability.
“Nobody has the intention to conceal any deaths. The death of Bridget is a painful reminder of the cost of conflict, and we owe her family and all affected Kenyans the truth.”
