Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed that undercover officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were deployed among demonstrators during the June 25 anniversary nationwide protests as part of efforts to identify and arrest individuals suspected of engaging in criminal activities.
Addressing the press at Harambee House on Thursday, June 25, Murkomen said the officers blended in with crowds to enable swift intervention whenever offences were committed during the demonstrations. According to the CS, the use of plain-clothed officers is a common policing strategy employed both in Kenya and internationally.
“In some cases, police officers would not wear uniforms to protect themselves. For example, many DCI officers were mingling with citizens across the country to ensure that if they see anybody committing an offence, they quickly arrest them and bring them before the law,” Murkomen stated.
The Interior CS also defended the use of unmarked security vehicles, saying such measures are necessary in sensitive operations to safeguard officers and prevent security missions from being compromised.
“In the security sector, there are measures that are put in place to protect security officers not be targetted in any way or compromising security operations. That includes the designation of different number plates, sometimes hiding the number plates,” he added.
Murkomen’s remarks come against the backdrop of a High Court ruling issued on August 14, 2024, requiring police officers handling demonstrations to remain identifiable.
In the ruling, Justice Bahati Mwamuye ordered the National Police Service (NPS) to ensure officers wear visible name tags or service numbers whenever they are involved in securing, monitoring or responding to protests.
“A conservatory order be and is hereby issued requiring the 5th Respondent (National Police) to ensure full compliance with Paragraph 10 of the Sixth Schedule to the National Police Service Act in terms of ensuring that all uniformed Police Officers or persons acting under the direction, control, or in support of the National Police Service shall at all times affix a nametag or an identifiable service number in a clearly visible part of their uniform when engaging with, providing security for, or in any way dealing with any person(s) who is or is planning on assembling, demonstrating, picketing, or petitioning; and they shall not remove or obscure the same,” Mwamuye ruled.
The court further directed that officers operating in plain clothes should not conceal their identities using balaclavas or similar coverings. It also barred authorities from obscuring registration details, markings or identification on vehicles deployed during demonstrations.
The case was filed following allegations that police officers concealed their identities while carrying out arrests during the anti-Finance Bill protests of 2024. At the time, several videos circulated online showing plain-clothed men, believed to be security officers, forcefully arresting and allegedly abducting protesters.
Meanwhile, Murkomen disclosed that at least 355 people had been arrested across the country during Thursday’s protests for allegedly attempting to commit various offences.
Nairobi recorded the highest number of arrests at 161, followed by Kajiado with 123 and Kiambu with 36. Other arrests were reported in Murang’a (12), Bungoma (9), Meru (6), Laikipia (5) and Machakos (3).
The CS also justified the erection of roadblocks on major routes leading into Nairobi, saying security agencies had received intelligence reports indicating that criminal elements were being transported into the capital ahead of the demonstrations.
According to Murkomen, the measures were intended to protect businesses and prevent disorder. He praised police officers for what he described as professionalism and restraint while maintaining law and order throughout the country.
In a rare move, the Interior CS also commended journalists for their coverage of the protests, describing accurate reporting as patriotic and urging Kenyans to safeguard peace and stability.
His remarks came as anti-riot police engaged protesters in several parts of Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD). Security officers fired tear gas at demonstrators near City Market, where crowds attempting to advance toward key government installations were dispersed and forced to retreat toward Globe Roundabout.
Similar confrontations were reported near the University of Nairobi and along University Way, where protesters clashed with police seeking to block access to the CBD.
Tear gas was also fired in areas near Parliament, where security remained tight with barricades and roadblocks mounted across key entry points.
