Safina SG Simiyu challenges Murkomen over claims of political goonism, demands action

Safina Party Secretary General Joakim Simiyu has questioned Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over remarks alleging that opposition-linked individuals are organizing goons to disrupt political activities, asking why action has not been taken if such intelligence exists.

Speaking on Radio Generation on Monday, he said it was contradictory for the Interior Ministry to make public accusations without demonstrating enforcement through arrests and prosecution.

“This is a minister for interior speaking like that. I wonder what is he doing about it?” he posed.

He further argued that if the government is aware of illegal activities, it should act decisively within the law rather than speak as an observer.

“Because if the minister knows that… it is something the government doesn’t want, or it’s illegal… do you come and talk about it like an activist, or you use the law to apprehend those people and take them to court?” he questioned.

Simiyu emphasized that security agencies should prioritize accountability through legal processes, insisting that public statements alone are insufficient when dealing with criminal conduct.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Sunday warned that Kenya’s biggest security threat is no longer traditional crime but alleged political orchestration of violence.

Speaking during an interdenominational church service in Sirwa, Nandi Hills, he said the government had recorded major gains in combating insecurity, including terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking, and especially banditry in the North Rift.

He said ongoing disarmament operations had led to the recovery of about 2,000 illegal firearms from Marakwet, Baringo, West Pokot, and Turkana counties, with efforts now extended to Samburu and Isiolo.

“We have made significant gains in securing our country by curbing terrorism, banditry, organised crime, and drug trafficking,” he said.

However, he cautioned that these gains were being undermined by what he termed rising “political violence and goonism instigated by leaders across the political divide.”

He further alleged that some political leaders are responsible for mobilizing youth to disrupt meetings and public events.

“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 actors often shift blame to security agencies while allegedly organizing chaos.