Murkomen slams Gachagua’s plan for civilian security at rallies
Kenyan Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has publicly condemned calls for civilians to provide security at political rallies. He emphasized that maintaining order is the exclusive constitutional duty of the National Police Service and warned against the use of armed youth groups.
Why it matters
The statement addresses concerns regarding political violence and the potential for instability caused by non-state actors in the Kenyan political landscape.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen/HANDOUT
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's call for civilians to protect political meetings, businesses and votes, insisting that maintaining security is the constitutional mandate of the National Police Service and not ordinary citizens.
Speaking on Friday during a thanksgiving ceremony at St Stephen's Secondary School in Kagaari, Embu county, Murkomen warned politicians against mobilising or recruiting young people to provide security at political gatherings, saying the government would not tolerate the use of "goons" or armed civilians anywhere in the country.
"We want politics to be conducted peacefully. Let meetings be like this one where people speak, others listen, we understand each other and move on," Murkomen said.
The Cabinet Secretary said no Kenyan should carry clubs, crude weapons or any other objects in the name of protecting political leaders, businesses or polling stations.
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