Murkomen Warns Politicians Against Disrupting Learning Ahead of June 25 Protests
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to political leaders against encouraging school closures and business shutdowns ahead of the planned June 25 demonstrations, insisting that the constitutional right to protest should not come at the expense of children’s education.
Speaking during a church service at AIC Langata in Nairobi on Sunday, June 21, Murkomen criticised politicians who have publicly urged Kenyans to stay away from work and school during the demonstrations, describing such statements as reckless and potentially harmful to young learners.
The CS acknowledged that the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to peacefully assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities. However, he stressed that these freedoms must be exercised responsibly and without infringing on the rights of others.
“I have seen that this week some people are saying that they want to do mandamano and all that. Our Constitution allows every citizen to protest, to picket, to demonstrate and to present petitions under Article 37 of the Constitution,” Murkomen said.
He added: “When you are exercising your Article 37 right to picket and demonstrate, it does not mean that your right to protest is greater than the right of our children to go to school.”
Murkomen argued that public statements calling for schools to remain closed send the wrong message to children, who often emulate the actions and rhetoric of political leaders.
According to the Interior CS, leaders should be careful about the examples they set, warning that children may interpret such messages as justification for skipping classes or disregarding authority.
“Now when you get a leader, even at the level of a Senior Counsel, standing in public and saying that because there are demonstrations no child will go to school, businesses will stop and everybody will stay home, that is a very irresponsible statement,” he said.
“Our children are listening. They will go back to school and tell their teachers that they also have demonstrations and will not attend class.”
Murkomen maintained that the Constitution protects both the right to protest and the right to education, and neither should be used to undermine the other.
His remarks appeared to be directed at Siaya Governor James Orengo, who has defended the planned June 25 demonstrations and urged Kenyans to commemorate the day in honour of victims of last year’s anti-government protests.
Speaking to reporters, Orengo dismissed claims that the demonstrations were politically motivated, insisting that they were intended to remember those who lost their lives and to stand in solidarity with grieving families.
He called on Kenyans either to participate in the demonstrations or stay at home as a mark of remembrance, describing June 25 as a significant moment in the country’s democratic journey.
The debate over the demonstrations has continued to divide political leaders and public officials.
Several senior government allies, including COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, have also criticised the planned Gen Z anniversary protests, arguing that they could disrupt businesses, affect economic activity, and create opportunities for violence.
The leaders have instead urged citizens to pursue political change through democratic processes, including elections, rather than through street demonstrations.
As the country approaches June 25, tensions remain high over how the anniversary should be marked, with supporters viewing the demonstrations as a symbolic act of remembrance and accountability, while critics warn of potential disruption to learning, business operations, and public order.
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