Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered a nationwide crackdown on political goons and gangs, confirming 20 arrests over the Kisumu and Nyahururu violence and warning politicians sponsoring goonism will face the law.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has declared a nationwide crackdown on criminal gangs and political goons, directing Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to intensify operations against groups blamed for recent political violence across the country.
Murkomen spoke on Monday, July 13, in Lokori, Turkana County, during the burial of prison warden David Kipchirchir Kibiwott, where he laid out the government's plan to deploy more police officers, particularly in areas known as goon hotspots.
"We have a plan with the Inspector General. Over the next few weeks, we will have intensified operations against goons and gangs. There will also be increased deployment of police officers at public functions to deal with these goons," Murkomen said.
The CS dismissed accusations that security agencies were enabling goonism, pointing to the state's success in dismantling banditry as proof that criminal gangs would not overwhelm police.
"We have dealt with bandits; goons cannot be too challenging. It is just that we have to follow the judicial process," he added.
This was Murkomen's first public address on the escalating goonism crisis following two violent incidents over the weekend. In Kisumu, two people died after armed goons attempted to storm a church service attended by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo. In Nyahururu, a rally by leaders allied to the Linda Wananchi faction was disrupted by goons, in chaos that left the driver of Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata seriously injured.
Murkomen confirmed 20 suspects had been arrested in connection with the two incidents and arraigned in court.
"What happened in Kisumu yesterday and Nyahururu? Let us pretend the police did not do anything. Twenty people have been arrested… and they have all been arraigned," he said, adding that those convicted of orchestrating the violence deserve lengthy jail terms.
Murkomen warned that investigations would not end with those arrested on the ground, saying politicians found to have sponsored or incited the violence would also face the law once sufficient evidence is gathered. He singled out DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, saying investigators should examine his recent public statements to establish any link to the Nyahururu violence.
With the high-stakes Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election set for July 16, Murkomen assured residents that security agencies were fully prepared to guarantee a peaceful vote, promising additional police deployment if needed.
"I want to assure the people of Ol Kalou that the elections will be free and fair. If we need to deploy 100 police officers, we will do that," he said.
10,000 New Police Officers to Graduate
Murkomen also revealed that about 10,000 newly trained police officers are expected to graduate within a month and will be deployed to stations nationwide to reinforce security operations.