As Kenya continues to grapple with waves of anti-government protests, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry Lee Kinyanjui has called for a delicate balance between upholding constitutional freedoms and safeguarding public safety and economic stability.

In a statement shared on X on July 6, 2025, Kinyanjui—who previously served as Nakuru Governor—warned that while the right to picket is protected under Article 37 of the Constitution, it must not be exercised at the expense of lives, property, or the country’s economic reputation.

“If we want to protect the right to picket, we must also respect other provisions in the same Constitution. Damage to property and loss of life are unacceptable. They negate the very Constitution that protects the right to protest,” Kinyanjui wrote.

His remarks come against the backdrop of ongoing demonstrations sparked by tax hikes and public discontent. The protests have intensified in 2025, following last year’s unrest that left at least 400 people injured, according to CS Interior Kipchumba Murkomen.

Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi on June 26, 2025, Murkomen announced that more than 400 people had been injured in the protests.

According to Murkomen, at least ten Kenyans died during the June 25, 2025, protests, and the government is conducting investigations into the circumstances of their untimely deaths.

“More than 10 Kenyans were killed; investigations are ongoing into the circumstances under which this happened. Over 400 people were injured; close to 300 were police officers, and some left with injuries they will carry for the rest of their lives,” he stated.

Business owners have faced repeated closures, with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce estimating losses of up to Ksh 6.5 billion per day.

Now overseeing Kenya’s trade and investment portfolio, Kinyanjui emphasised that continuous disruption threatens to undermine investor confidence, especially as the World Bank has revised Kenya’s GDP growth forecast down to 4.5% for 2025.

“Business owners live in fear of victimisation and the potential for violence. The cost of shutting down businesses for days to accommodate protests makes Kenya seem unreliable and a dangerous place to invest in,” he noted.

His statement also touched on growing concerns about infiltration of protests by criminal groups. While acknowledging this trend, Kinyanjui avoided assigning blame to law enforcement, even as a 2023 IPOA report found that 70% of protest-related injuries were linked to police actions.

Kinyanjui urged all parties to “take a deep breath and reflect on the consequences of our actions,” warning that the nation is in a “race to the bottom” that could drag the entire economy and society down if unchecked.

As a Cabinet Secretary tasked with promoting trade and industrial growth, his intervention highlights the broader stakes of the current unrest—not just as a political issue, but as a critical economic and national security concern.