Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has accused a section of politicians of using organised criminal groups to infiltrate demonstrations linked to the nationwide fuel strike, saying the violence witnessed on Monday was politically driven and targeted at government projects and supporters.
Speaking during a press briefing on Monday evening, Murkomen said although many parts of the country remained calm during the protests, several incidents of violence, arson and looting were reported in isolated areas where criminal gangs allegedly took advantage of the demonstrations.
According to the Interior CS, four people died while more than 30 others sustained injuries during the unrest, which disrupted transport and business activities in different parts of the country.
Murkomen linked the destruction witnessed in some towns to what he described as a coordinated campaign aimed at intimidating government supporters and sabotaging ongoing state projects.
“The looting, the burning down of UDA offices in Wote, and the torching of two trucks are not coincidences but a calculated move to spread fear and intimidate government supporters and innocent public servants,” Murkomen said.
Among the incidents highlighted by the CS was the looting of supermarkets reportedly owned by a Member of Parliament allied to the government, the burning of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) offices in Wote, and the destruction of trucks operating at the Rironi–Mau Summit road project site.
The multi-billion shilling road project is one of the flagship infrastructure programmes being implemented by the government to improve transport connectivity and ease movement along the busy Northern Corridor.
Murkomen claimed that some political leaders were making inflammatory statements that were encouraging violence and political intolerance across the country.
“We are witnessing a clear scheme where a section of the political class is making incendiary statements and organizing gangs to spread terror and sabotage government projects,” he said.
The CS condemned the deaths reported during the protests, describing the loss of lives as unfortunate and avoidable.
“It is unfortunate that we lost 4 Kenyans in today’s violence. It is very regrettable that there are politicians who measure the success of opposition by the number of innocent lives lost,” he said.
He warned political leaders against mobilising supporters along political lines or encouraging hostility based on differing opinions, saying the government would take action against individuals found responsible for incitement.
Murkomen further stated that leaders whose remarks contribute to destruction of property or loss of life would be held personally accountable.
The protests erupted amid growing public concern over the rising cost of fuel and transport, with parts of the country experiencing disruptions after matatu operators withdrew services in protest against high diesel prices.
On the issue of fuel supply, the Interior CS defended the government-to-government fuel importation programme, saying it had helped Kenya avoid shortages that were being experienced in some neighbouring countries.
“A number of countries in our neighbourhood do not have fuel because of the foresight and the G to G program, we at least have a guarantee of supply of fuel, even if it is at a higher price,” he said.
Murkomen attributed the rising fuel prices to the ongoing global political and economic situation, arguing that acts of violence, destruction and road blockades would not provide a solution to the crisis.
He said vandalism and looting could instead worsen the country’s economic challenges by disrupting businesses and damaging critical infrastructure.
The government has continued to appeal for calm as discussions between officials and stakeholders in the transport sector continue in an effort to end the strike and restore normal operations across the country.
