A late-night tweet by Moses Kuria has ignited nationwide outrage after the former Cabinet Secretary appeared to praise the killing of protesters and applauded Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen for overseeing a day where, he claimed, “only criminal looters” died.
“No Gen Z died today. Only criminal looters. Well done @kipmurkomen. Ensure Zero Gen Z and maximum criminal fatalities,” Kuria posted at 11:43 p.m. on Sunday, 7 July.
The tweet, now viewed more than 65,000 times, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations, legal experts, and members of the public, many of whom say it amounts to endorsing extrajudicial killings.
“You Cannot Celebrate Death”
Kenya is in the midst of a powerful youth-led uprising against the Finance Bill 2025. Many protests have been peaceful, but security forces have often responded with tear gas, rubber bullets-and in some cases, live rounds.
According to Amnesty International Kenya and other rights bodies, at least 39 people have died in the unrest so far, most of them young and unarmed.
Kuria’s tweet, which drew a distinction between Gen Z demonstrators and so-called “criminals,” was immediately denounced.
“This is shocking,” said Irungu Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty Kenya. “A public official glorifying death in such a way is unacceptable. You cannot celebrate killings-whether Gen Z or not.”
Lawyers say Kuria’s tweet may violate hate speech and incitement laws under Kenya’s Constitution. The Law Society of Kenya released a short statement, declaring: “No Kenyan should be condemned without trial. Encouraging state violence is a serious offence.”
Murkomen Yet to Respond
Kuria tagged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen in his post, crediting him for what he called “zero Gen Z fatalities.” Murkomen, who oversees national police and internal security, has not publicly commented.
Protesters, meanwhile, are demanding accountability-not just from officers on the ground, but also from those in power.
“He was my brother, not a looter,” said Faith Wambua, whose 19-year-old sibling was shot dead in Rongai. “When leaders talk like this, it’s like our pain doesn’t matter.”
Thousands have now joined the hashtag #WeAreNotCriminals, flooding social media with photos and names of those killed, insisting they were innocent and peacefully protesting.
Kuria’s History of Provocative Talk
Kuria has long been known for his blunt political style and controversial remarks. But observers say this latest tweet crosses a line.
“This is no longer politics,” said activist Boniface Mwangi. “It’s about basic human dignity. Kuria’s tweet shows a disregard for life. It should not be ignored.”
Despite growing pressure, Kuria’s tweet remained online at the time of publication. Neither he nor Murkomen had issued further statements.
For now, Kenya’s youth continue to march in the streets-and mourn their dead. Many are asking not just for justice, but for a country where those in power speak with responsibility, not spite.
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