Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has criticised the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), accusing the legal body of “siding with suspected criminals” and undermining efforts to tackle violence during recent anti-government protests.
Speaking in Uasin Gishu County on Wednesday, July 23, Murkomen condemned the LSK’s role in securing lower bail terms for individuals arrested during the June 25 and Saba Saba protests.
He further accused LSK of trivialising grave offences, including arson and looting, which he claims amount to terrorism.
“I have seen the LSK leadership, and as a member, I totally disagree with those who want to make it lighter. They want to make it look cheap when we say people who are burning courts, police stations, and businesses with petrol bombs are terrorists. They have committed acts of terror, and if we find them doing so, even in this city, we are going to charge them accordingly.”
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“I want to tell LSK not to be on the side of criminals; they must be on the side of Kenyans; they must be on the side of preventing crime in the country. There is no point for the LSK to spend a lot of energy to reduce the bail terms for suspected criminals who have been properly arrested and located at the scene. Those are terrorists who must have a day in court and should not get any assistance from any civilized person, let alone LSK,” he added.
On Tuesday, lawyers succeeded in having the bail terms for at least 22 protesters in Nanyuki reduced from Sh50,000 to Sh10,000, citing the socio-economic status of those detained.
LSK President Faith Odhiambo defended the society’s actions, arguing that applying the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) against peaceful demonstrators is both unconstitutional and oppressive.
“Protesters should not be charged with terrorism. The investigating agencies must show and prove that there was clear intent to cause terrorism,” said Odhiambo.
Odhiambo further faulted the Judiciary for issuing “exorbitant and unrealistic” bail conditions. Her remarks followed the release of activist Boniface Mwangi on a personal bond of Sh1 million over alleged possession of ammunition and tear gas canisters.
“The bail and bond terms being issued against protesters are very high and go against the principles of fair justice,” she added.
However, Murkomen maintained that the government will not back down from pressing terrorism-related charges against individuals found culpable of organising or executing violent acts during demonstrations. He urged courts not to be swayed by political pressure and to stand firm in supporting national security efforts.
“Courts must not be intimidated by politicians. They must be partners with the security sector to prevent a national crisis. In the past, fear of political repercussions led to leniency on people planning chaos, but we won’t allow that again,” he said.
Murkomen also linked certain politicians to the financing of protest violence and incitement of ethnic tension, warning that security agencies are finalising investigations and arrests will soon follow.
“Some of those who tried to finance attacks on properties will be properly charged with the crimes they committed. Anyone inciting the public or causing divisions between communities will face the full force of the law,” he warned.
The Interior Ministry has said that 71 individuals have so far been arrested and charged under terrorism-related provisions, but human rights groups continue to criticise the crackdown as excessive and politically motivated.
LSK has affirmed its resolve to defend constitutional rights. “We will not be intimidated or deterred in our defence of the rule of law.”
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Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has criticised the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), accusing the legal body of “siding with suspected criminals” and undermining efforts to tackle violence during recent
anti-government protests
.
Speaking in Uasin Gishu County on Wednesday, July 23, Murkomen condemned the LSK’s role in securing lower bail terms for individuals arrested during the June 25 and Saba Saba protests.
He further accused LSK of trivialising grave offences, including arson and looting, which he claims
amount to terrorism
.
“I have seen the LSK leadership, and as a member, I totally disagree with those who want to make it lighter. They want to make it look cheap when we say people who are burning courts, police stations, and businesses with petrol bombs are terrorists. They have committed acts of terror, and if we find them doing so, even in this city, we are going to charge them accordingly.”
Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp
“I want to tell LSK not to be on the side of criminals; they must be on the side of Kenyans; they must be on the side of preventing crime in the country. There is no point for the LSK to spend a lot of energy to reduce the bail terms for
suspected criminals
who have been properly arrested and located at the scene. Those are terrorists who must have a day in court and should not get any assistance from any civilized person, let alone LSK,” he added.
On Tuesday, lawyers succeeded in having the bail terms for at least 22 protesters in Nanyuki reduced from Sh50,000 to Sh10,000, citing the socio-economic status of those detained.
LSK President Faith Odhiambo defended the society’s actions, arguing that applying the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) against peaceful demonstrators is both unconstitutional and oppressive.
“Protesters should not be charged with terrorism. The investigating agencies must show and prove that there was clear intent to cause terrorism,” said Odhiambo.
Odhiambo further faulted the Judiciary for issuing “exorbitant and unrealistic” bail conditions. Her remarks followed the release of activist Boniface Mwangi on a personal bond of Sh1 million over alleged possession of ammunition and tear gas canisters.
“The bail and bond terms being issued against protesters are very high and go against the principles of fair justice,” she added.
However, Murkomen maintained that the government will not back down from pressing terrorism-related charges against individuals found culpable of organising or executing violent acts during demonstrations. He urged courts not to be swayed by political pressure and to stand firm in supporting national security efforts.
“Courts must not be
intimidated by politicians
. They must be partners with the security sector to prevent a national crisis. In the past, fear of political repercussions led to leniency on people planning chaos, but we won’t allow that again,” he said.
Murkomen also linked certain politicians to the financing of protest violence and incitement of ethnic tension, warning that security agencies are finalising investigations and arrests will soon follow.
“Some of those who tried to finance attacks on properties will be properly charged with the crimes they committed. Anyone inciting the public or causing divisions between communities will face the full force of the law,” he warned.
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The Interior Ministry has said that 71 individuals have so far been arrested and charged under terrorism-related provisions, but human rights groups continue to criticise the crackdown as excessive and politically motivated.
LSK has affirmed its resolve to defend constitutional rights. “We will not be intimidated or deterred in our defence of the rule of law.”
Follow The Standard
channel
on WhatsApp
By Mike Kihaki