Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has expressed deep concern over the growing use of armed goons at public and political gatherings, describing it as a serious threat to security and public order.
Speaking at the Chiefs’ and Assistant Chiefs’ Graduation at the National Police College in Embakasi, Nairobi, Murkomen said the trend has been escalating across the country, with some political leaders allegedly encouraging it.
“There is a phenomenon where people, when they want to hold meetings, mobilise goons to come and cheer them, carrying machetes and other weapons,” he said, highlighting the challenges chiefs face in managing public events, including funerals.
The Cabinet Secretary stressed that recent incidents, particularly in Nairobi, have shown that such behavior cannot continue unchecked.
“We have discussed with the Inspector General of Police that the most important issue to address in the coming months is this problem of goons across the country. It must be dealt with without fear or favor, and indiscriminately,” Murkomen added, warning that the security sector will not tolerate violence aimed at intimidating officers or disrupting events.
Murkomen’s remarks come in the wake of several incidents linked to armed goons during political gatherings. On Sunday, chaos erupted at the PCEA Berea Parish in Kariobangi North, where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua attended a church service.
Two rival groups of armed youths clashed outside the church, forcing police to use teargas to disperse the crowds. The service was held as a thanksgiving for David Wanyoike, who won the Kariobangi North ward representative seat in a recent by-election.
Elsewhere, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, the ODM party chief agent, was reportedly attacked by suspected goons on November 27, 2025, at the Agoro Sare Primary School polling center during the by-election.
His bodyguard’s firearm was lost during the incident but later recovered, with Kaluma alleging that the attackers were allied to rival candidate Philip Aroko.
Other electoral areas, including Mbeere North, Malava, and Narok Town, also reported disturbances linked to armed goons during the recently concluded by-elections, highlighting the urgency of Murkomen’s call for decisive action.
