The Ministry of Interior found itself in an awkward position on Sunday after releasing a video attempting to frame the government’s perspective on the events of June 25, during which more than ten Kenyans were shot dead.
The seven-minute, twenty-second video sparked immediate backlash on social media, with Kenyans accusing the ministry of trying to distort the narrative and downplay the gravity of the protests through loaded captions.
Among the phrases used in the video were “Violent Protests,” “Gen Z Madness,” “Briefcase NGOs,” and “Gutter Press.” The video concluded with a patriotic appeal: “Kenya is a nation built on order, a freedom also fought for. Our criminal justice system will prevail.”
Many online users criticised the tone of the video, saying it attempted to delegitimise the genuine frustrations of the youth and civil society while whitewashing the state’s use of force during the protests.
The video, posted across official government platforms, also tagged key institutions in the justice and law enforcement system, including the Judiciary of Kenya, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Office of the Attorney General, the National Police Service (NPS), the Kenya Prisons Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC).
Many viewed this move as an attempt to justify the government's forceful response and potentially shape the legal framing of the protests.
In addition to the controversial captions, the video selectively featured cutaways from mainstream media coverage, focusing heavily on scenes where property was looted, infrastructure destroyed, and police stations set ablaze.
Conspicuously missing, however, were clips documenting police excesses, including alleged extrajudicial killings, abductions, and the violent dispersal of peaceful demonstrators—incidents widely captured and condemned by both local and international observers.
Critics argued that the video represented a state-driven attempt to rewrite the narrative surrounding the June 25 protests, portraying the demonstrators as criminals rather than citizens expressing legitimate civic frustrations.
Additionally, many felt the messaging in the video further widened the rift between the government and the youth-led movement demanding accountability, justice, and reform.
“This is a mockery of the peaceful protests held by the youth. This is why we must return to the streets—because this government keeps playing games with us,” one social media user remarked.
Another added, “I've lived long enough to witness a whole Interior Ministry—meant to protect Kenyans—turn into a propaganda arm for a weak President obsessed with applause and validation. Kenya has fallen so badly.”
Some users, while sharing videos of Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen issuing what has been termed as shoot-to-kill orders for anyone storming police stations, questioned why the ministry remained silent on such remarks in its edited narrative.
Others pointed out that the protests were largely peaceful until the state deployed excessive force. “This is funny—did your boss give you the captions? Looting and property destruction are wrong, but your detachment from citizens' real grievances won’t save this country. Protesters were peaceful until tear gas was launched in the mid-morning, starting near Central Police Station. Why didn’t we see this in Mombasa? Because the police there protected protestors and understood their role.”
According to data released by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) on June 27, 2025, a total of 19 people were confirmed dead and 531 others injured during the June 25 demonstrations.
The Commission also documented 15 enforced disappearances, 179 arrests, and reported disturbing incidents of sexual violence, including two cases of individual rape, two cases of gang rape, and one attempted gang rape. KNCHR strongly condemned the human rights violations witnessed during the protests and called for accountability from all responsible parties.
