NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 26 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen now says he is able to seem in court docket to clarify the reside media shutdown ordered by the Communications Authority of Kenya throughout Wednesday’s protests.
Speaking throughout a press convention, Murkomen defined that nationwide curiosity outweighed any court docket order and the nation will all the time come first.
“I’d slightly seem earlier than a decide in a working nation and clarify why I made a specific resolution that to doubt myself and fail to make choices after which tomorrow there isn’t any nation or perhaps a decide to clarify to,” he opined.
“The largest drawback with reside broadcasting is the concept media turns into the middle of mobilization for a few of these protesters. Some of the media stations have been directing the protesters; that could be very irresponsible journalism.”
He acknowledged that “whether it is essential to shut a media home in order that we are able to save the nation, we are going to do it.”
He described the protests as a “well-planned and unconstitutional try at regime change,” including that the federal government has gathered clear proof pointing to the organisers and financiers.
Murkomen mentioned what unfolded was not a protest, however an tried coup focusing on key state installations together with State House and Parliament.
“That was not a peaceable protest. That was an tried coup,” he mentioned. “You all noticed what occurred. They have been clearly focusing on the symbols of energy—however they didn’t succeed.”
He mentioned the plotters mobilised individuals from Nyeri, Murang’a, Thika and different areas, transporting them to Nairobi to gasoline unrest. “These are the identical people seen looting and robbing residents on their manner residence,” he added.
Toll of Violence
At least 16 individuals have been killed in the course of the protests, based on Amnesty International, whereas greater than 400 have been injured. Among the fatalities was a safety guard stationed at Kenya Power’s Stima Plaza headquarters. Fred Wamale Wanyonyi was shot on the Kolobot Road entrance and later pronounced lifeless at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.
Murkomen mentioned over 300 cops have been among the many injured, with some sustaining life-altering accidents. Nine police stations have been attacked—5 of them torched—together with Dagoretti, Molo and Ol Kalou. Eighty-eight police automobiles and over 90 authorities and personal automobiles have been destroyed. Five firearms have been stolen from Dagoretti Police Post whereas 4 others have been burned at Gachui Police Post.
Planned Violence and Political Targeting
He mentioned the demonstrations have been organised with the aim of instilling concern and destabilising the nation. Protesters chanting slogans like “Take over energy” and “Occupy State House” tried to overrun safety barricades.
Businesses, properties, and establishments related to authorities allies—together with these belonging to MPs Kimani Ichung’wah, Kimani Kuria, Eric Wamumbi, and Mwangi Kiunjuri—have been additionally attacked.
