Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen has warned that the government will take stern action against individuals behind violent demonstrations that left four people dead and more than 30 others injured.
The Interior Cabinet Secretary said security agencies had already arrested 348 suspects linked to the violence and destruction of property witnessed during the protests.
“The full force of law will be brought to bear on the organisers of today’s violence and wanton destruction of property,” Murkomen said on Monday.
He described the deaths and injuries recorded during the demonstrations as unfortunate and regrettable, noting that innocent Kenyans had suffered as a result of the chaos.
“It is quite unfortunate that we lost four Kenyans in today’s violence, which also saw more than 30 people injured,” he stated.
Murkomen also criticised politicians whom he accused of using demonstrations for political gain, saying some leaders measure the success of opposition politics through loss of lives and destruction.
“It is very regrettable that there are politicians in this country who measure the success of opposition to the government by the number of innocent lives lost in the demonstrations they organise,” he said.
The CS further warned leaders against profiling Kenyans based on political affiliation and issuing inflammatory statements.
He said they would be held personally responsible for any consequences arising from their remarks.
“To the leaders who have been profiling Kenyans of different political opinion and calling them traitors, we shall hold you personally responsible for the lives lost and property destroyed as a result of your statements,” he added.
The protests triggered running battles in several areas as police moved to disperse demonstrators, with businesses and transport services disrupted for the better part of the day. Investigations into the violence are ongoing.
