Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen defended citizens’ constitutional right to protest while warning against what he described as a growing habit of treating violent crimes the same as peaceful demonstrations.
Speaking at State House in Nairobi during the presentation of the Framework for Reparations for Victims of Human Rights Violations, Murkomen said Kenya must put in place clear safeguards that enable people to exercise their freedoms while keeping the public safe.
“The right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and petition as provided in Article 37 of the Constitution must be implemented,” Murkomen said.
“But even as we implement that right, it is important that we have a clear framework that enables Kenyans to enjoy their right and that we can separate violent criminals from those who are enjoying this right.”
Murkomen said Kenya risks weakening constitutional freedoms if violent actors blend in with peaceful demonstrators. He argued that people who commit arson, loot, or carry out other criminal acts should not be called protesters.
“We must differentiate between thugs, violent people, arsonists, people burning courts, burning businesses, and terrorizing citizens, and peaceful Kenyans who are undertaking demonstrations,” Murkomen said.
“We must call them for who they are and separate them from peaceful Kenyans.”
The CS added that citizens should exercise their rights responsibly and also respect the rights and freedoms of others.
“There can be no enjoyment of a right without responsibility. Those who come to enjoy their rights must appreciate that they have a responsibility to protect the rights of others,” he said.
Murkomen also pointed to how other countries manage protests, citing visits to New York and London, where authorities have developed systems to support demonstrations while dealing decisively with criminal behavior. He said officials from the New York Police Department and the London Metropolitan Police told him they do not tolerate criminal conduct during protests.
“If they see even one demonstrator carrying any form of weapon, they take severe action against such individuals,” Murkomen said.
He noted that developed nations have handled protests effectively by clearly separating the exercise of constitutional rights from criminal activity.
The CS also took aim at parts of the media, saying their wording unintentionally legitimizes criminal behavior during demonstrations.
“I find it very insulting that during news reporting, reporters say demonstrators are burning tyres, throwing stones, or looting, yet they use constitutional language to describe criminals,” he said.
He also raised concern about what he described as lenient treatment of suspects accused of violent acts during protests. Murkomen said police officers often become frustrated when suspects arrested over incidents such as attacks on public institutions get released shortly after they appear in court.
He added that all arms of government must work together to protect national interests while still safeguarding constitutional rights.
