Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned that the greatest threat to national security stems from political leaders allegedly mobilizing youth to cause unrest and disrupt public gatherings, even as the country records major gains in tackling banditry and other crimes.
Speaking during an interdenominational church service and fundraiser in Sirwa, Nandi Hills, Murkomen said the government had made steady progress in stabilizing the country through sustained security operations.
“We have made significant gains in securing our country by curbing terrorism, banditry, organised crime, and drug trafficking,” he said.
He noted that banditry, particularly in Kerio Valley, had been largely contained, with ongoing disarmament efforts yielding results.
“Right now, we are collecting illegal firearms—we have already recovered about 2,000 guns from Marakwet, Baringo, West Pokot, and Turkana,” he said, adding that operations had been extended to Samburu and Isiolo to eliminate remaining illegal weapons.
Despite these gains, Murkomen raised alarm over what he described as a growing trend of politically instigated violence.
“But this progress is threatened by a troubling rise in political violence and goonism instigated by leaders across the political divide,” he warned.
He accused some leaders of orchestrating chaos while publicly shifting blame to security agencies.
“The greatest threat to national security is not the citizens or even jobless youth; it is actually those in positions of power,” Murkomen said, adding that such individuals “organize young people to cause chaos at meetings and unrest in the country.”
The Interior CS questioned how law enforcement agencies could effectively maintain order under such circumstances.
“How do you expect security officers to maintain order if politicians mobilize thousands of people armed with stones, machetes, and crude weapons?” he posed.
Murkomen called on leaders to take responsibility and promote peaceful political engagement.
“As we intensify efforts to hold perpetrators and their enablers accountable, I call on all leaders to firmly distance themselves from these destructive tendencies and commit to issue-based, responsible politics,” he said.
His remarks come amid heightened political tensions following the recent attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi in Kisumu, which has drawn widespread condemnation.
Several leaders drawn from United Opposition and Linda Mwananchi faction of ODM party have since demanded the resignation of Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, alleging links between the attackers and individuals associated with him.
