Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has claimed that the June and July protests were part of a plot to remove President William Ruto from office through unconstitutional means.

Before the National Assembly’s Security and Administration Committee, Kindiki stated that demonstrators had targeted key constitutional bodies, including Parliament, the Judiciary, and the State House.

PHOTO | COURTESY Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki

“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, putting the entire Judiciary at risk," Kindiki told the committee.

He further alleged that the unrest aimed to seize the State House unlawfully. In defending the police response during the protests, Kindiki said officers had to use lethal force to prevent a coup attempt.

PHOTO | COURTESY Protesters

"If the police had not used lethal force during the invasion of Parliament, Kenya as we know it might have been lost," he asserted.

Kindiki clarified that the protestors' actions were not solely focused on opposing the finance bill but had violent motives. "Those who stormed Parliament were not there to debate the finance bill—they intended to kill you," he warned MPs.

PHOTO | COURTESY Dead protester being carried away 

The Cabinet Secretary also vowed to prosecute senior officials allegedly organizing and funding the protests. He stressed the importance of respecting constitutional institutions to preserve Kenya’s democracy, adding, "We will take legal action against high-ranking individuals who financed and organized the protests, incited violence, and even led the invasion of Parliament."

Kindiki reiterated the need to uphold and protect constitutional offices to ensure the country’s stability and democratic future.