UK raises concern over violence and looting during June 25 protests
The British High Commission in Kenya has raised concern over wanton looting and destruction of property witnessed during the Wednesday, June 25, 2025, protests across different parts of the country.
In a brief demarche on Friday, June 27, 2025, the diplomatic mission called for accountability by challenging the relevant authorities to hunt down all those who broke the law during the protests.
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“We were concerned by violence and looting on 25 June,” the UK embassy in Kenya stated.
“There should be accountability for anyone who broke the law,” the statement added.
At the same time, the UK High Commission extended its condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones during the protests.
“The UK sends condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.”
Amnesty International Kenya reported that 16 people were killed during the Wednesday, June 25, 2025, protests.
In a separate presser, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed that 400 people were injured during the demos.
“There are 300 police officers who were injured and about 100 civilians. So a total of 400 people were injured,” Murkomen said while labelling the demos as an attempted coup.
“From yesterday’s protests, there is a particular pattern and in particular constituencies where police stations are being targeted… I suspect, the burning of police stations was supposed to help the coup plotters make a statement that there is no country and that there is no authority,” Murkomen added.
“That is why you see they want the guns and police uniforms to show that the uniform is degraded so that there is no authority in the country. That is the entire mission of what happened yesterday. We will take firm action to ensure the nation is in safe hands.”
Police reforms
While calling for accountability, the UK maintained that it was keen on continuing with its support for police reforms in the country.
The UK further challenged President William Ruto’s administration to uphold the freedom of expression and peaceful protests.
Earlier, the UK, USA and other diplomatic missions raised alarm over the deployment of plainclothes officers and the hiring of goons.
In a rejoinder, Kenya described the joint statement as a diplomatic overreach. In another update, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi picked a rather soft tone by informing the diplomats that the protests were hijacked by criminal elements.
The CS said that given the geopolitical challenges and ongoing security concerns in Africa, Kenya has placed paramount importance on maintaining national security and stability.
“It is evident that at a certain point, the demonstration was co-opted by elements pursuing ulterior, self-serving agendas, thereby undermining the legitimacy of the initial cause,” the statement read in part.
