Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen speaks in Parliament on August 13, 2025. /SCREENGRABInterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the government’s decision to charge dozens of people arrested during recent anti-government protests with terrorism-related offences.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday during a session on national security and the fight against drug abuse, Murkomen said acts such as attacking public institutions, destroying property, and creating fear fall within the definition of terrorism.
“Mr Speaker, you don’t have to be Osama bin Laden to be a terrorist,” he told lawmakers.
“Once you invade a police station, burn a court, burn a supermarket, burn a government installation, create fear, and disrupt emergency services… You are a terrorist.”
More than 40 people are currently facing terrorism charges following the June 25 Gen Z commemoration demonstrations, which marked the first anniversary of last year’s riots.
During the protests, several police stations were looted and set ablaze, while businesses worth billions of shillings were vandalised.
Rights groups and opposition leaders have criticised the charges, describing them as disproportionate compared to the alleged offences.
A day after the June 25 unrest, Murkomen described the riots as an organised attempt to disrupt public order, claiming they were part of a premeditated plan to challenge the government.
“That was not a protest; it was an unconstitutional attempt to change the regime of this republic, and yesterday the police tried to foil the attempt,” he said after inspecting damage in Nairobi’s central business district.
Murkomen reiterated the remarks in Parliament while defending the charges against Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, who was arrested during the July 7 “Saba Saba” protests.
He said it would be up to the courts to decide the legislator’s fate.
The CS also warned that terrorism convictions carry serious consequences.
“The acts on their own, especially financing, are even more serious. These things may seem minor until the day of conviction. When you are convicted of terror, then you realise the consequences it brings to you as a person and your loved ones,” Murkomen said.
“So, Mr Speaker, I wish my friend the very best.”
“Several suspects have been arrested,” the National Police Service said in a statement.
