Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has commended police officers deployed across Nairobi and other parts of the country during the 35th Saba Saba commemoration, lauding their restraint and professionalism in handling the demonstrations.
Speaking after visiting officers manning the Nairobi Metropolitan area, Murkomen thanked security personnel for protecting lives and critical infrastructure, noting that their efforts helped prevent the level of destruction witnessed during earlier protests.
“We thank you very much for the work you did today to secure people, their lives and their property. If it was not for your work, we would be discussing the kind of damage we saw last week,” said the CS.
Murkomen, however, acknowledged that the heightened security measures had caused inconvenience to many Kenyans, especially those unable to access their workplaces within the Nairobi CBD and its environs.
“To those Kenyans inconvenienced as a result of this security situation, poleni sana. We wanted you and your property to be safe,” he said.
He noted that while political disputes should be resolved through peaceful engagement, some individuals had forced security agencies into political tensions by infiltrating demonstrations with criminal intent. He revealed that several suspects linked to the chaos on June 25 had been arrested and charged with terrorism-related offenses, adding that the government would pursue all perpetrators to ensure the safety of both civilians and officers.
“Political problems are not police problems. But those who refuse peaceful resolutions force the police into these political situations,” the CS said.
Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that Kenyans are safe to express themselves while also conducting their daily activities without fear or disruption.
“We shall do everything to ensure our country is safe — not just for expression but also for business and livelihood,” said Dr. Omollo.
The PS also assured officers that the government was working on better equipping and remunerating the police force to enhance service delivery.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli were also present during the inspection.