Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has challenged former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to present evidence to investigators instead of making what he described as serious allegations against the National Police Service, insisting that criminal claims must be handled through the law and not public statements.
Speaking on Thursday during the launch of the internationally accredited Forensic Evidence Management Unit and the Multi-Biometric Identification System (MBIS) Version 5 at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi, Murkomen also defended the independence of the National Police Service, saying neither he nor the Interior Ministry has the power to direct police investigations.
Responding to Gachagua's recent criticism of the police, Murkomen expressed confidence in Inspector General Douglas Kanja's leadership, saying he had carried out his constitutional responsibilities with professionalism and respect for both the office and Kenyans.
"I have full support and faith in your leadership of the National Police Service," Murkomen told Kanja. "Since you assumed office as the Inspector General of Police, you have carried out your duties with dignity, with honour, with respect to the citizens of Kenya and respect of your office."
He maintained that the Inspector General is protected by the Constitution from outside interference and dismissed claims that the Interior Ministry directs police operations.
"I have no authority to direct the Inspector General of Police in performance of his duties to investigate and to carry out policing responsibilities. I can only give policy directions and support the department," he said.
Murkomen said the country's policing system had moved away from relying mainly on traditional methods and was now increasingly using technology and scientific investigations, pointing to the launch of the new forensic and biometric systems as part of efforts to strengthen criminal investigations.
The Cabinet Secretary also responded to allegations that 68 women were raped during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, saying such claims were too serious to be made without being formally reported to investigators.
"For everyone to say that 68 women were raped... that is really serious," he said. "I would like to ask all those private doctors in private hospitals who purportedly treated 68 people to report all those cases to DCI and to the necessary institutions... so that we can take any person who has committed any crime to task."
He said anyone with evidence of criminal acts should report the matter to the relevant authorities to allow investigations to begin.
Murkomen warned that if no formal complaints or evidence are presented, those making such allegations should also be held responsible.
"If not, those who are making those reckless statements must be held into account, not just by the police, but by the people of Kenya," he warned.
He also dismissed claims that politicians receive confidential intelligence from police officers, saying police work is conducted openly and within the law.
"There is nothing secret about policing. Everything that the National Police Service does is done in the open... there is nothing private or secret that someone can go out there and say, 'I receive intelligence'," he said.
Murkomen further said Kenya's security situation had improved under the current administration, citing lower cases of terrorism, banditry and violent crime.
His remarks came after Gachagua alleged that police officers raped 68 women during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election and claimed one person was killed while several others were injured.
The National Police Service has already dismissed the allegations, saying no such incidents were reported before, during or after the by-election, while calling on anyone with information or evidence to file formal complaints to enable investigations.