Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed that security forces executed 355 arrests across the country during the June 25 demonstrations. The nationwide protests were organized to mark the second anniversary of the historic 2024 Gen Z-led anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
Addressing the media from Harambee House on Thursday evening, Murkomen commended the vast majority of Kenyans for maintaining order, noting that 99% of the country proceeded with normal business routines.
He asserted that while peaceful, solemn commemorative processions took place in several regions, police had to step in to neutralize a minority of “criminal elements” who attempted to hijack the gatherings to commit diverse crimes under the guise of picketing.
Regional Breakdown of the 355 ArrestsAccording to structural data provided by the Ministry of Interior, the law enforcement operations were heavily concentrated within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area and neighboring counties.Nairobi County registered the highest volume of enforcement actions, followed closely by strategic transit towns where security forces intercepted groups ahead of the planned marches:County LocationTotal Verified ArrestsHigh-Volume Intervention ZonesNairobi County161City Market, University Way, Parliament PerimetersKajiado County123Kitengela Town, Ongata Rongai CorridorKiambu County36Thika Road Access Points, Ruiru, KikuyuMurang’a County12Kandara, Kariti Sub-locationBungoma County9Bungoma Town CenterMeru County6Meru CBDLaikipia County5NanyukiMachakos County3Mavoko / MlolongoThe Interior Ministry explicitly highlighted that no arrests were recorded across the Coast, Nyanza, or North Eastern regional blocks, where activities remained completely calm.
Those in custody are expected to be arraigned in court to face distinct criminal charges including robbery, intentional vandalism, illegal road obstruction, and attempted theft.Murkomen Defends Highway Screenings and GridlockThe CS addressed widespread public anger regarding severe early morning traffic gridlocks that left thousands of workers stranded after police mounted heavy roadblocks on primary entry points including Thika Road, Waiyaki Way, and Mombasa Road.
Murkomen explained that the checkpoints were deployed after security agencies gathered credible intelligence indicating that organized networks intended to transport goons into the capital to trigger widespread destruction.”We regret the inconvenience caused to members of the public, but these measures helped maintain relative calm in Nairobi,” Murkomen defended. “The available intelligence showed that criminal elements wanted to bring in goons to cause chaos and loot businesses. Our security agencies acted with effective planning and prevented that.”[ Intelligence Reports Recieved ] ──> Criminal networks plan to ferry goons to Nairobi CBD
│
(PRE-EMPTIVE STATE ACTION)
▼
[ Highway Screening Roadblocks ] ──> Major arterial lines sealed ──> Chaos neutralized at entry
Clashes, Casualties, and Law Enforcement ResponseWhile the Interior Ministry characterized the day as a major step forward for peaceful constitutional picketing, the ground reality in certain sectors of Nairobi was marked by sharp confrontations.CBD and UoN StandoffsAnti-riot police and plainclothes DCI operatives deployed heavy volleys of teargas around City Market and University Way to disperse crowds of youth and students who attempted to march toward the barricaded Parliament Buildings. Plumes of acrid white smoke forced central businesses to drop their shutters prematurely.
The Murang’a Administrative AssaultIn the rural sectors, tensions turned physically violent against state administrators. The Ministry confirmed that Kariti Sub-location Assistant Chief Anthony Gathungu was seriously injured in Kandara, Murang’a County, after being assaulted by a group attempting to erect illegal boulders across a main transit line. The administrator was rushed to Kagunduini Health Centre where he was treated and later discharged in stable condition.[ Midday: Solemn Processions ] ──> Families of victims lay wreaths peacefully in memory of 2024
│
(POCKET CONFRONTATIONS ERUPT)
▼
[ Afternoon: Police Deployments ] ──> Teargas volleys at City Market & UoN / Assistant Chief injured
The Next Legal StepsWith Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja maintaining a visible security footprint across major city centers overnight, the Ministry of Interior indicated that processing files remains a priority. The 355 individuals held across various police divisions are slated to be presented before regional magistrates to face formal public order and property damage charges.
