Goon attacks: Senators summon Murkomen

IG Douglas Kanja and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen. [File, Standard] Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja have been directed to appear before a Senate Committee to explain the emerging pattern of targeted, politically motivated attacks against various leaders. The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, Chairperson, Fatuma Dullo, yesterday said that the two will be required to individually appear before the committee next Thursday, saying that the growing trend in the country is unacceptable and should be stopped. Murkomen and Kanja were required to appear before the committee yesterday, and while the IG wrote to the committee seeking that the meeting be rescheduled, the CS sent Principal Administrative Secretary Jacob Narengo to represent him. Only Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin attended, with the Senators saying the meeting could not continue until Kanja and Murkomen appeared in person to address political intolerance and the politics of goons. "We cannot continue with this meeting. Our Standing Orders are very clear, the Constitution and Police Act is also very clear as far as responsibility is concerned and I believe the matter that we have called you for today is very serious and the public is concerned," Dullo said. She said the matter of political violence happening in the country, more specifically, direct attacks on the leadership of Parliament and members of the public, is an urgent matter that should be addressed. "This is a matter as a country we must sit and agree on the way forward. We cannot allow that to happen. So, if the CS and IG are not with us, those are the people who are supposed to be accountable to the nation and also to Parliament. CS is aware that he is the only one who should appear before the House Committee because he has been a member of Parliament," she said. "This matter is really very serious and very urgent because it's happening all over the country. So, we are going to adjourn and as a committee, we will agree if that is okay with members, they should appear on Thursday next week. That is our directive." Their appearance comes amid growing concern over a surge in politically instigated violence reported in several regions, where organised groups of youths have allegedly been hired to disrupt public gatherings, intimidate perceived opponents and, in some cases, engage in confrontations with security agencies. There have also been reports of escalation in banditry attacks, particularly in pastoralist areas, where armed raiders have made away with large herds of cattle, camels, goats and sheep. The incidents have not only resulted in significant economic losses for affected communities but have, at times, led to fatalities. Nairobi Senator, Edwin Sifuna, said the House has established certain conditions that the persons who hold responsibility for Ministries must appear before Parliament, adding that the country has been outraged by some of the things that have been happening. "We invited the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior, and that is the person we are expecting to have a conversation with. I have not seen you on the news making the sort of statements that CS Murkomen has been saying on these matters that we want to discuss here. I don't think there is any need to engage these officers any further. We want to have a conversation with CS and the IG because you might have reasons why they sent you," Sifuna said. Senators also want security agencies to outline concrete measures to curb violence, ensure accountability and guarantee the safety of leaders and citizens regardless of their political affiliations. There have been growing concerns over the rising cases of politically motivated violence, including physical assaults allegedly linked to leaders' political positions, with the latest instance being Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who was attacked by a group of armed youths in Kisumu. Another instance was reported in Kikuyu last weekend, where unidentified groups blocked roads headed to the Constituency in an attempt to prevent a scheduled rally by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his United Opposition counterparts. In yet another incident, Gachagua was attacked at an ACK church in Witima, Othaya, Nyeri County, with some police officers accused of working with unidentified individuals to disrupt the service. Other cases have been reported in Murang'a, Laikipia, Kiambu and other parts of the country, raising concerns of political intolerance in the wake of the 2027 General Election. At the same time, Murkomen and Kanja are set to appear before the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security next week to address the country's deteriorating security situation. Speaking on the floor on Thursday, Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, who chairs the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, acknowledged the gravity of the issue but urged patience ahead of a comprehensive ministerial statement. "I do not want to pre-empt the minister's response, but I want to assure the country that security agencies are actively addressing the situation," he said, pointing to improved calm in parts of the North Rift. While we remain seized of emerging concerns in Meru and other parts of the country, I wish to affirm that our state agencies are equal to the task. I urge Members of Parliament, particularly those available, to attend the session on Tuesday at 10 am in the Mini Chamber to interrogate both the Cabinet Secretary and the Inspector-General of Police on these critical security issues," Tongoyo said. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula directed that the Interior Cabinet Secretary appear before the committee on Tuesday to respond to the concerns raised by MPs and urged MPs affected to come and explain their issues directly during the meeting. "So when the minister appears before you on Tuesday, members with issues, whether you are Samburu or Meru, go before the committee...the minister will be in the mini chamber with the committee and prosecute your case," said Wetang'ula.

Goon attacks: Senators summon Murkomen

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Similar Articles

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

Similar Articles

FKE: Investing in women leaders is good for business

Tea factory embraces value addition to boost consumption, farmer earnings

Financial sector pushes for stronger data systems to boost credit access

Co-op Bank leads list of Kenyan lenders in Forbes World top 500

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

Goon attacks: Senators summon Murkomen

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Similar Articles

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS