Blog

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned that politicians found to be financing goons to instigate political violence will face arrest and prosecution once investigators gather sufficient evidence.

Speaking in Lokori, Turkana County, the CS confirmed that security agencies have escalated their investigations, targeting not only those directly involved in violent attacks but also the individuals responsible for their funding and organisation.

“There are people saying we should arrest politicians. We will arrest them. When we get enough evidence we will arrest them for sure,” Murkomen stated.

He cautioned political leaders against exploiting goonism for partisan advantage, emphasising that the issue permeates the entire political spectrum.

“I want to tell politicians not to exaggerate the issue of goons for political gain. There is no political side without individuals who organize goons. Every side has such people,” he explained.

Murkomen revealed that the police, under the Inspector General, have intensified operations against criminal gangs and their financiers. He affirmed that the crackdown will target suspects irrespective of their political affiliation or social standing.

The CS defended the government’s response to recent violence in Kisumu and Nyahururu, noting that over 20 suspects have already been apprehended and brought before the courts.

“Let’s not start pretending that the police have done nothing. More than 20 people have been arrested in connection with yesterday’s incidents,” he said.

Murkomen appealed to the Judiciary to impose stringent penalties on those convicted, arguing that firm sentences would act as a deterrent against the use of hired gangs to provoke violence.

“We must work with the Judiciary. When we arraign these suspects, the courts should take tough legal action commensurate with their offences,” he urged.

The Interior CS maintained that security agencies have successfully contained more complex security threats and are equally capable of overcoming political goonism.

“As a ministry, we have stabilized the country against banditry, Al-Shabaab, robberies and theft. This issue of goons cannot defeat us,” he asserted.

At the same time, Murkomen assured residents of Ol Kalou that Thursday’s by-election would proceed under stringent security measures. He confirmed that the government would deploy a substantial contingent of police officers to prevent violence and guarantee a peaceful, free, and fair election.

“There are individuals planning violence in Ol Kalou with the intention of blaming the police and the government. We will deploy the highest number of police officers to ensure the election is peaceful,” he stated.

The CS reiterated that the government would not permit criminal gangs or their political sponsors to undermine public order, warning that investigations would persist until all those responsible are brought to justice.

President William Ruto has defended the renovation of State House Nairobi and the ongoing upgrading of State Lodges across the country.

The Head of State says that the works are essential for preserving national institutions and form an integral part of the government’s broader development agenda.

Speaking at State House during a reception for Migori Youth FC, in Statehouse, Nairobi, the President dismissed criticism surrounding the renovations, insisting the official residence belongs to the people of Kenya and must be maintained for future generations.

“This is not my building. It is not my house. It is not my office. This is the address of the Republic of Kenya, and it is here for posterity,” Ruto affirmed.

The President disclosed that several sections of State House were in poor condition upon his assumption of office, with ageing infrastructure necessitating extensive repairs and modernisation.

“This State House, hapa kulikuwa na nyumba mzee mzee, and the toilets were not working. Nikabomoa, nikajenga. Nyumba ingine pale roof ilikuwa imeharibika na kunyesha ndani. Sasa nimenyorosha, nimetengeneza,” he said.

Ruto argued that Kenya should not hesitate to improve public buildings that were constructed over six decades ago.

“Statehouse, ni nyumba ilijengwa na wazungu 60 years ago. They built almost 60 percent of this building. You want to tell us 60 years later we have no ideas on how to make it better? Kwani sisi ni mafala kiasi gani? he posed.

The Head of State maintained that the renovations should be viewed within the context of the government’s wider investment in infrastructure and public services, rather than as isolated projects.

“We are not just improving State House. We are improving the country,” he stated.

Responding to criticism regarding the construction of a new State Lodge in Meru, the President urged that the project be weighed against the government’s significantly larger development investments in the county.

He noted that while the State Lodge will cost about Ksh80 million, the government is implementing development projects worth nearly Ksh40 billion in the region, including affordable housing, markets, roads and bridges.

“People ask whether an Ksh80 million State Lodge is a priority. Yet we have close to Ksh40 billion worth of development projects in Meru. We must get our priorities right because both are important if we are to move the country forward,” he explained.

Ruto stated that the government’s development agenda is guided by deliberate planning and long-term national priorities. He expressed confidence that sustained investments in infrastructure and public institutions would accelerate Kenya’s journey towards becoming a developed economy.

“If we continue at the pace we are going, Kenya will become a first-world country in our lifetime,” the President said.