Kindiki: Police action stopped attempted coup during June-July protests

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has alleged that the protests that took place in June and July were part of an attempt to overthrow President William Ruto's government through unconstitutional means.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Security and Administration Committee, Kindiki claimed that the demonstrators targeted key constitutional institutions, including Parliament, the Judiciary, and even State House.

“There was an attempt to attack and set fire to other protected areas such as the Supreme Court. The office of the Chief Justice was also targeted, which means the entire Judiciary was under threat," he told the MPs.

Kindiki further claimed that those behind the unrest had plans to seize State House unlawfully.

In defending the actions of the police during the demonstrations, Kindiki informed the committee, led by Gabriel Tongoyo, that law enforcement officers had to resort to lethal force to prevent a coup.

"If the police had not used lethal force during the invasion of Parliament, we would not have the Kenya we know today," he stated.

Kindiki also emphasized that the protestors were not merely opposed to the passage of the finance bill, but had more violent intentions. "The people who stormed Parliament were not there to debate the finance bill; they were coming to kill you," he warned.

He added that the government would pursue legal action against high-level officials who were allegedly involved in organizing and financing the protests.

"We are going to prosecute high-level officials who financed the protests, organized for other people to harm Kenyans, loot property, and even invade a serious institution like the Parliament of the people of Kenya," Kindiki affirmed.

He underscored the importance of respecting constitutional offices to safeguard the country’s democracy.