{"id":50300,"date":"2025-06-26T11:48:39","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T15:48:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/kenya-protests-are-coup-attempt-says-minister\/26\/06\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-06-26T11:48:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T15:48:39","slug":"kenya-protests-are-coup-attempt-says-minister","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/kenya-protests-are-coup-attempt-says-minister\/26\/06\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Kenya protests are &#8216;coup attempt&#8217;, says minister"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Kenya&#8217;s interior minister has denied that the police used excessive force during Wednesday&#8217;s protests in which at least 10 people were killed, describing them as &#8220;terrorism disguised as dissent&#8221; and an &#8220;unconstitutional attempt&#8221; to change the government.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Kipchumba Murkomen thanked security agencies for their &#8220;remarkable restraint amid extreme provocation&#8221; crediting them with helping to &#8220;foil an attempted coup&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In addition to the 10 deaths, more than 400 others were injured, including about 300 police officers, he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We condemn the criminal anarchists who in the name of peaceful demonstrations unleashed a wave of violence, looting, sexual assault and destruction upon our people,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Key government installations and offices were targeted in the protests, he added, with nine police stations attacked, five of which were torched &#8211; and five guns stolen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Dozens of vehicles, belonging to the police, government and civilians, were destroyed, he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Murkomen said that investigations were under way into the exact number of casualties and the circumstances around the violence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Rights group Amnesty International has put the death toll at 16, saying that all those who died had gunshot wounds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>&#8220;I am in so much pain. David was&#8230; my first-born and he was my helper.&#8221; &#8220;, Source: Rachael Nyambura Mwangi, Source description: Mother of one of those killed on Wednesday, Image: A head and shoulders shot of a woman who looks like she is about to cry.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Nineteen-year-old David Mwangi, who lived in Nairobi&#8217;s Mukuru informal settlement, was one of those who was shot dead.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">His mother told the BBC that he was a bystander who had gone to pick up his younger brother from a tuition class. A tearful Rachael Nyambura Mwangi said that a bullet had gone through her son&#8217;s head.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I am in so much pain,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;David was hoping to go to college to become a mechanic. He was my first-born and he was my helper. If I needed to fetch water or get something I would send him. I sell sweet potatoes and whenever I needed to get my stock I would send him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A young man with a baseball cap and a tie-dyed vest holding his fists in front of him.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/KQeIgaLpDG9e8bXctQFNOw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/fb42bacd9b3a2b3bbd61d2712f146f7a\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Dennis Njuguna was in his final school year when he was shot dead [Jecinta Gathoni]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Student Dennis Njuguna, 17, was shot dead in Molo, 170km (100 miles) north-west of Nairobi shortly after the end of the school day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t know if he was in the midst of the protesters or a stray bullet him. I don&#8217;t know but I heard he was shot, fell down and died on the spot,&#8221; his mother Jecinta Gathoni said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;My child was still young, he was in his final year of secondary school. He had his dreams, I also had a lot of hope in him. I have not even gathered the courage to go to the morgue to see his body.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The protests marked the first anniversary of a previous wave of deadly anti-government demonstrations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">On Wednesday, thousands took to the streets across to voice anger with President William Ruto&#8217;s government, and to demand an end to police brutality.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Many of those demonstrating chanted &#8220;Ruto must go&#8221; and waved branches as a symbol of peaceful opposition to his rule.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The government banned live TV and radio coverage of the protests, although its decree was overturned by the Nairobi High Court. The ban has has since been lifted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Rights groups have condemned the actions of the police and state.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The Law Society of Kenya said there had been &#8220;unnecessary aggression and brute force&#8221; by security officers, which it said had led to &#8220;senseless loss of life&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">On Wednesday, human rights groups said three police officers had been injured.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">More Kenya stories from the BBC:<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"295\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/X.EL2n7fcUDVmgCDCHEGmA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTI5NTtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/c7a608b642136b2879dce57f6fb5d461\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>[Getty Images\/BBC]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Go to <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/bbcafrica.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:BBCAfrica.com;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>BBCAfrica.com<\/em><\/a><em> for more news from the African continent.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Follow us on Twitter <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BBCAfrica\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:@BBCAfrica;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>@BBCAfrica<\/em><\/a><em>, on Facebook at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BBCnewsafrica\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:BBC Africa;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>BBC Africa<\/em><\/a><em> or on Instagram at <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bbcafrica\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:bbcafrica;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>bbcafrica<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">BBC Africa podcasts<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/kenyan-minister-back-police-over-141454263.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kenya&rsquo;s interior minister has denied that the police used excessive force during 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