Murkomen declare June 25 a normal day, pledges police protection for protesters
The Interior CS said the National Police Service had already received notices from organisers and was prepared to facilitate the demonstrations in accordance with the constitution.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has this evening urged Kenyans to go about their normal activities tomorrow, Thursday June 25, 2026, insisting that the country remains open for business despite planned nationwide demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests.
Addressing the nation today at his Harambee House office in Nairobi ahead of the commemorative marches, Murkomen declared June 25, 2026, a normal working and school day, even as thousands of Kenyans are expected to participate in memorial processions across the country.
“Tomorrow is a normal working and school day. However, the police are in receipt of a notification by some citizens who would like to engage in public demonstrations,” Murkomen said.
The Interior CS said the National Police Service had already received notices from organisers and was prepared to facilitate the demonstrations in accordance with the constitution.
“Police are therefore ready to provide security and guide the protesters tomorrow according to their request,” he said.
Speaking earlier during a Peace and Security Meeting at Kabusa in Ang’ata Barikoi, Narok County, Murkomen reiterated that June 25 should be treated as any other working day.
“I also want to say that tomorrow is a working day like any other day across the whole of Kenya. Everyone should go to their respective jobs,” he said.
Murkomen emphasized that the government recognises and respects the constitutional right of every Kenyan to assemble and demonstrate peacefully.
“The government respects the constitutional rights of all Kenyans to peacefully assemble for whatever reason on any day, any time,” he said.
Citing Article 37 of the Constitution, the Cabinet Secretary noted that every person has the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities, provided they do so peacefully and without weapons.
“Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees every person the right, peacefully and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions to public authorities. Please underline the words peacefully and unarmed. That is not me, that is the Constitution,” he said.
Murkomen assured protesters that security officers had been instructed to protect those participating in peaceful demonstrations.
“For those who want to hold peaceful protests, peaceful demonstrations, the police are ready to provide you with security so that people can conduct their demonstrations peacefully,” he said.
However, he warned that individuals seeking to exploit the demonstrations to engage in violence, destruction of property or other criminal acts would face the full force of the law.
“But those who come with stones and weapons, wanting to cause chaos in Kenya, legal action will be taken against them,” he added.
Murkomen said the National Police Service had been fully briefed to maintain peace and security throughout the country during the demonstrations.
“I want to say that anyone who is going to disturb peace, our National Police Service is properly briefed to make sure that our country is safe,” he stated.
He further urged Kenyans to exercise their rights responsibly and avoid disrupting the rights and freedoms of others.
“Every Kenyan must continue enjoying their right, our children go to school, and everything should be done without disrupting one another in our nation,” he said.
The demonstrations are expected to take place in several towns and cities as Kenyans, particularly Gen Z activists, commemorate the events of June 25, 2024, when anti-government protests culminated in the storming of Parliament and left dozens dead and many others injured.
Organisers have described the events as memorial marches intended to honour those who lost their lives while renewing calls for accountability over the deaths and injuries recorded during past demonstrations.
Ahead of the protests, the Law Society of Kenya and the Police Reforms Working Group issued a seven-point advisory urging police to facilitate peaceful assemblies, avoid excessive use of force and protect journalists, medics and human rights observers.
Meanwhile, Kenyatta National Hospital has activated emergency preparedness measures, directing consultants and Senior House Officers within the Surgical Division to remain on standby to respond to any casualties or emergencies that may arise during the demonstrations.
