Embu senator calls for harsh penalties for violent protesters
By William Muthama, July 21, 2025Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi has come out strongly against the recent wave of violent protests across the country, describing them as a front for organised looting and economic sabotage.
Speaking in Embu on Monday, July 21, 2025, Mundigi backed the judiciary’s recent fines and custodial sentences issued to demonstrators, calling for even tougher penalties to deter what he termed “criminal acts disguised as activism.”
“Wakati wa maandamano umefika, kila mtu ako na haki ya kudemonstrate, lakini tukumbuke wakati wa maandamano ofisi ya UDA na ya county ilichomwa. Unapata mtu ameomba loan, akaweka biashara, halafu inapoporwa. Hawa watu wanapoteza kazi zao,” he said.
Loosely translating, the senator emphasised that while every Kenyan has the right to peaceful protest, recent events have crossed the line into destruction and lawlessness.
“Someone takes a loan to open a small business, only for it to be looted during protests. That’s not justice that’s ruining lives,” he added.
Mundigi insisted that perpetrators of such acts should face legal consequences. “Mtu kama huyo anafaa kupelekwa kortini aangaliwe kama alifanya hivyo. Askari ana mtu wa kumtetea, lakini hata raia akigonga mtu, hiyo inakua shida,” he said, further defending recent court rulings:
“Ata kama ni kwako mtu akuje aibe, anafaa apigwe faini ama afungwe. Hiyo ni kuharibu economy ya nchi.”
The Embu lawmaker warned that unchecked demonstrations could spiral into national unrest, comparing the current trajectory to global conflicts. “Watu wanasema vijana waachiliwe. Lakini ukiangalia vile wamekuwa wakiingia State House, hiyo ikiachwa itaenda kama vita ya Israel na Iran. Vita ilianza hivyo,” he cautioned.
Fundraising for protesters
Mundigi also criticised leaders who are defending and fundraising for the arrested protesters, accusing them of encouraging impunity.
This comes just days after Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina publicly announced that she is leading a fundraising drive and providing pro bono legal support to Gen-Z protesters who were arrested during the June 25 and July 7 (Saba Saba) anti-government demonstrations. Many of the youths remain in custody due to lack of bail money.
“Jameni, tuambie vijana wafanye ya amani. Serikali inaendelea kuwasikiza, lakini ukishikwa, unapigwa faini ama unafungiwa,” Mundigi added, urging young people to embrace peaceful protest and lawful engagement.
The senator’s remarks come amid growing national debate over the government’s handling of youth-led protests, police conduct, and the legal response to demonstrators arrested during recent anti-tax rallies.