Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has disclosed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is pursuing politicians suspected of mobilising goons ahead of the planned June 25 protests, adding that several suspects have already been arrested.
Murkomen further revealed that investigators are probing a senior politician accused of financing groups of goons to infiltrate a march organised in remembrance of young people killed during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations, which turned deadly.
Addressing the media at Harambee House on Wednesday evening, the CS said intelligence reports indicate that youths are being recruited from across the Nairobi Metropolitan region with the intention of disrupting the memorial march.
Although he stopped short of identifying the politician, Murkomen claimed the individual under investigation is the same leader who had publicly cautioned Kenyans against participating in the demonstrations.
According to the CS, the strategy is intended to manipulate public perception by encouraging turnout through reverse psychology, triggering disorder and subsequently blaming the government for the chaos.
“Those who are insinuating that the government is working with goons, including those who apply reverse psychology, tried to blame the government and the police on matters of violence and to try to tell the public that tomorrow the government is going to plant goons,” stated Murkomen.
His remarks come amid claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has strongly urged Gen Z protesters not to participate in the June 25, 2026 memorial demonstrations.
Speaking from his Wamunyoro residence on June 23, Gachagua appealed to young people to remain indoors, alleging that he had received credible intelligence suggesting that state agencies had put in place plans that could result in widespread violence and unrest.
Gachagua also broadened his warning beyond Gen Z protesters, urging residents in Nairobi, the Mount Kenya region, Kajiado and Narok to remain indoors. He described the areas as being among those most likely to experience what he termed as state-sponsored violence.
In response, Murkomen maintained that security agencies would take firm action against anyone found carrying weapons during the June 25 demonstrations, irrespective of who may have recruited or sponsored them.
Earlier in the day, while on a peace and security tour in Angata Barikoi, Murkomen instructed police officers to safeguard peaceful demonstrators during the planned protests.
He also cautioned law enforcement personnel against actions that could escalate tensions and trigger violence.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders appear split over the demonstrations. The Linda Mwananchi faction opted to suspend its planned political rallies and instead throw its weight behind the June 25 memorial protests held in honour of those who lost their lives during the 2024 Gen Z anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
The faction allied to Edwin Sifuna announced the postponement of grassroots meetings that had been scheduled for Kisii and Keroka on Friday, June 26.
The events were pushed to July 3, 2026, to allow party leaders and supporters to fully participate in the nationwide commemorations.
