CS Duale Accuses June 25 Protesters Of 'Crossing Constitutional Red Line', Issues Demands
Duale joined other leaders in condemning the chaos that erupted across several counties on Wednesday
Marvin Chege 
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called on the government to expedite investigations and prosecutions of those responsible for the looting and violence that broke out during the June 25 protests.
Duale joined other leaders in condemning the chaos that erupted across several counties on Wednesday, a day originally set aside to honour victims who lost their lives in similar protests exactly one year ago.
In his remarks, Duale — who previously held the position of Defence Cabinet Secretary — labelled Wednesday as a “dark day” for the country, stressing that numerous boundaries had been crossed.
Protestors run as police use a water cannon during a demonstration in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 25, 2025. /REUTERS.MONICAH MWANGI
"The relevant authorities must swiftly bring to book anyone who participated in causing chaos and violence, looting shops and taking away the hard-earned money of Kenyans and destruction of property, including public buildings. The perpetrators must face the law; the red line was crossed!" Duale said.
Adding “What was supposed to be a day of peaceful protests left behind a trail of destruction. We witnessed shocking cases of violence, looting, and destruction of public property, including government buildings.”
The June 25 demonstrations saw widespread looting and destruction of property in multiple counties, including several businesses in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD). There were also reported attacks on government facilities, with some police stations set on fire and firearms stolen.
Duale described these acts of looting and property damage as outright crimes being masked as protests.
“One cannot hide behind the right to demonstrate while violating the rights of fellow citizens—by looting, raping, and destroying property,” he said, adding “This is not what the Constitution envisioned.”
The CS’s remarks come as a national debate heats up over how to balance the right to protest with the obligation to do so lawfully. Questions around police behaviour have also taken centre stage, especially after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen urged officers to use their firearms in extreme cases to protect themselves.
Speaking after the June 25 protests, Murkomen argued that the recent soft approach by police had emboldened criminals, stating, “they get released on small bond, return to fight police, and even mock them. This must come to an end.”
Since then, Murkomen has tried to walk back his statements, claiming his words were taken out of context.
