Interior CS Murkomen Defends Terror Charges Against Protesters, Slams LSK For Supporting ‘Criminals’

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has launched a scathing attack on the Law Society of Kenya, accusing the legal body of “siding with suspected criminals” while defending the government’s decision to charge protesters with terrorism-related offenses.

Speaking in Eldoret during his Jukwaa La Usalama public engagement forum on Wednesday, Murkomen expressed dismay at LSK’s role in securing lenient bail terms for individuals arrested during the June 25 and Saba Saba protests.

The CS argued that the legal association was trivializing serious crimes including arson and looting, which he categorized as acts of terrorism.

“I have seen the LSK leadership, and as a member, I totally disagree with those who want to make it lighter,” Murkomen stated.

“They want to make it look cheap when we say people who are burning courts, police stations, and businesses with petrol bombs are committing terrorist acts.”

The Interior CS took particular aim at LSK President Faith Odhiambo, accusing her of overstepping her mandate by questioning the quality of evidence presented in court before judicial determination.

“I saw the interview with the LSK President, and she was arrogating herself the role of a judge. How did she determine that the evidence we gave in court is not watertight? The question of threshold is for the court to decide,” he said.

Murkomen defended the application of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, describing it as “clear and unambiguous” in defining terrorist activities.

He listed orchestrating violence, endangering life, creating public safety risks, causing property damage, and using explosives as covered offenses under the legislation.

The CS urged the judiciary to resist public pressure when considering bail applications for terrorism-related charges, emphasizing that the rights of law-abiding citizens must be protected.

He challenged Odhiambo to choose between defending suspects or standing with Kenyans who lost property during violent demonstrations.

This confrontation highlights the growing tension between the government and legal practitioners over the handling of protest-related arrests, with the LSK maintaining that the terrorism charges are excessive and politically motivated, while the government insists they are necessary to maintain public order and protect critical infrastructure.