Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned politicians against inciting violence and using goons to disrupt political meetings ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Murkomen said the Government would not allow political leaders to mobilise young people to engage in violence or use firearms to intimidate opponents, assuring Kenyans that security agencies would deal firmly with individuals involved in disrupting peace.
Speaking during an Interdenominational Sunday Worship Service at Kipsamoo Primary School in Kapseret Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Murkomen urged politicians to conduct their campaigns peacefully and cooperate with security agencies to ensure political meetings are not disrupted.
He said political competition should be based on policies and development programmes rather than violence, adding that leaders should allow Kenyans to make informed choices based on competing ideas.
“Political competition must bring results through policies. It should not be about fighting with machetes or anything else,” said Murkomen.
The CS also cautioned politicians against interfering with the mandate of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), urging them to respect the roles of independent institutions.
He criticised politicians who, he said, sought to assume multiple roles by attempting to influence the electoral body and other state institutions.
“This is unacceptable. I want to request all politicians to stick to their responsibilities and not try to become IEBC officers, the Inspector-General of Police, or anything else. The idea that everybody is wrong except yourself must stop,” he cautioned.
Murkomen challenged political leaders, particularly younger politicians, to focus on manifestos, policies and development programmes instead of slogans, saying voters should be given an opportunity to assess leaders based on their plans for the country.
“Manifestos are important, policies are important, and planning programmes are important. Leaders must sell policies and programmes that will enable the people of Kenya to assess them should they be elected,” he said.
He said the current political environment required leaders to provide practical solutions to the challenges facing Kenyans, rather than relying on rhetoric and mobilisation.
On security, Murkomen said the Government had made significant progress in addressing banditry in the Kerio Valley, with incidents reducing considerably.
He noted that security operations would now focus on remaining areas along the Isiolo, Laikipia, and Samburu borders, as well as parts of the Turkana-West Pokot border, with the aim of eliminating banditry completely.
“We want to ensure that our people live in peace, and the strategy we are using is working. We are ensuring that illegal firearms are removed from the hands of civilians and surrendered to the Government,” he said.
Murkomen said the Government would also use this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations to showcase progress made in restoring peace and improving security in the North Rift.
He said Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties were working together in preparation for the celebrations, with a series of activities planned in the region ahead of the national event.
The activities, he said, would include sports, cultural events, music, and other programmes aimed at involving residents and showcasing the region’s development.
Murkomen further said the Government was working to improve access to registration and immigration services, particularly for young people, in collaboration with Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services Dr Belio Kipsang.
He said the initiative would ensure eligible Kenyans obtained identification documents and were able to exercise their constitutional rights.
Murkomen also said the Government had made progress in addressing the abuse of alcohol in the region, particularly illicit brews, but noted that more efforts were needed to protect young people from harmful substances.
“We have seen many things changing for the better. Alcohol consumption, which had become a major problem in this region, has reduced, but we will continue fighting illicit alcohol, particularly those types that are harming our children,” he emphasized.
The CS added that Rift Valley leaders remained united in supporting the Government’s development agenda, dismissing reports of divisions and noting that both appointed and elected leaders were working together.
He said leaders in the region were collaborating to ensure the government’s development programmes were implemented effectively.
He commended Uasin Gishu leaders for conducting political activities peacefully and urged them to maintain the county’s example of political tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Murkomen said political differences should not be allowed to undermine peace and development, urging leaders to unite around issues affecting residents.
By Fredrick Maritim
