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Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has sparked national and international controversy after labeling recent anti-government protests a “foiled coup attempt.” The statement follows days of intense demonstrations across the country that have left at least 16 people dead and over 400 injured, according to human rights organizations.
The protests, which erupted in 23 of Kenya’s 47 counties, were ignited by widespread anger over the June 9 death in custody of popular blogger Albert Ojwang. His death is seen by many as a symbol of growing authoritarianism, police brutality, and the suppression of dissent in the East African nation.
Murkomen claimed that protesters intended to forcibly take over key government buildings, including Parliament, and accused organizers of attempting to destabilize the state.
“This was a failed coup attempt disguised as a protest. Our security forces did a commendable job protecting the republic,” he stated during a press briefing on June 26.
However, the minister’s comments have been strongly condemned by activists and civil society leaders. Human rights defender Boniface Mwangi dismissed the “coup” claim as a political smokescreen to deflect from the state’s own violence.
“This is not a coup attempt. This is young Kenyans demanding justice, dignity, and a future,” he said in a video posted on social media.
Footage and eyewitness reports from cities including Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa show police using live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannons against largely unarmed demonstrators. Amnesty International has denounced the excessive use of force and called for immediate investigations into the killings and reported abductions of protest organizers.
The government has responded by launching mass arrests and initiating a cleanup operation, with authorities pledging to identify protesters using CCTV footage. Meanwhile, Murkomen announced plans to review Article 37 of Kenya’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, suggesting tighter restrictions may be introduced.
The protests come on the anniversary of Kenya’s 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, which also ended in a deadly crackdown. Many Kenyans see the current unrest as part of a broader pattern of increasing repression and economic inequality, with youth unemployment, inflation, and police impunity fueling public anger.
International observers, including the United Nations, have expressed concern over the situation and urged the Kenyan government to uphold democratic rights and avoid further escalation.
As tensions remain high, protest leaders vow to continue their push for justice and reforms, warning that the government’s hardline stance will only deepen the country’s political crisis.