Murkomen orders investigation after Gachagua teargassed in Othaya church

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has directed Central Regional Commissioner Joshua Kanatha to investigate the incident where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was teargassed while attending a church service in Othaya.

According to Murkomen, any leader implicated in the fracas will be brought to book. He made the directive even as the United Opposition accused the government of using the state machinery to intimidate critics.

"I direct the central RC to investigate and ensure that all those who were involved in Sunday's attack on congregants are arrested," said Murkomen.

“We will not allow Kenya to be dragged into politics of violence, intimidation, and chaos. Our politics must be peaceful, issue-based, and founded on love, unity, and development for all Kenyans,” he added.

Questions, however, remain whether he means his statement following allegations that the attack was planned and carried out by the police.

He also urged security agents to offer services to Kenyans and not solicit bribes, contradicting his earlier calls on Kenyans to fuel police vehicles.

Speaking at Kiawakara in Kirinyaga Central Sub-County while commissioning the new Inoi division offices on Wednesday, Murkomen also said that police officers should not shot, or use force on innocent Kenyans and also to seek more amicable ways of solving crime related issues before taking a step to shoot.

The CS said that distance to Kerugoya to seek services like ID, birth, and death certificate, will be done under one roof."

The Interior CS assured Kenyans that the government remains committed to guaranteeing equal political space for all players, provided activities are conducted peacefully and within the law.

“We will protect everyone’s right to assemble and express themselves lawfully,” he said. “But we will not allow violence, threats, or intimidation disguised as politics.”

Murkomen urged leaders to shift focus from confrontation to development and vision, saying Kenyans deserve leadership that unites rather than divides.

“Kenya’s politics must change, Leaders who rely on violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic society, “he said.