A debate has erupted in Kenya over the framing of recent youth-led protests, as government officials face backlash for likening the demonstrations to acts of terrorism.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Monday defended the government’s response to last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests, during which demonstrators breached Parliament premises in Nairobi.
“I’m yet to see a media outlet that calls out those who invaded Parliament. In any civilized society, anyone who storms a legislature would immediately be branded a terrorist. But here in Kenya, we still refer to them as peaceful protesters,” Murkomen said. He disputed the characterization of the demonstrations, asserting they were far from peaceful.
“How can the words ‘invasion’ and ‘peace’ belong in the same sentence? Just look at other countries where people march peacefully in the streets to express their views—that’s what real protest looks like,” he added.
His comments sparked sharp criticism, particularly from Amnesty International Kenya’s Executive Director, Irungu Houghton, who called the comparison both ironic and concerning.
“It’s deeply ironic—and troubling—for the Cabinet Secretary for Interior to equate Gen Z protests to terrorism,” Houghton said during an interview on Spice FM on Tuesday.
Murkomen also referenced upcoming legislation intended to regulate public demonstrations.
“That’s why we’re proposing a law to ensure public order and provide a safe, peaceful environment for protest, while respecting everyone’s constitutional rights,” he explained.
However, Houghton raised broader concerns beyond Murkomen’s terrorism remarks, pointing to the role of security agencies in recent troubling incidents.
“We also need to ask whether the DCI officers who arrested Albert were part of the same multi-agency task force that’s been linked to 89 abductions and 65 deaths just last year,” he said.
Houghton was referring to Albert Ojwang’, a schoolteacher and blogger who died in custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station days after his arrest in Homa Bay for allegedly posting critical content about Police Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat.
Ojwang’s death has reignited national outrage over police brutality and extrajudicial killings. In response, Lagat stepped aside from his position on Monday pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
