Playing clever: Murkomen points finger at political class, Judiciary over proliferation of goons

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has apportioned the insecurity blame on everyone else apart from himself, the security minister.

Appearing before MPs, Murkomen blamed political leaders and a “lenient” criminal justice system for the proliferation of goons and gangs across the country.

The CS, while noting that the number of gangs had exceeded 100 and goons ballooned to their thousands, blamed the political class for hiring gangs which they use to incapacitate their perceived rivals and the courts for releasing goons  with a mere slap on the wrist shortly after arrest by the authorities.

HE said he knew of the gangs and goons sponsors but did not mention any names. Pressed he said some of those interrogating him were war lords.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Administration and Internal security committee, a belligerent Murkomen yesterday also told of how some Governors had allegedly established departments and appointed chief officers to coordinate goons.

He however did not give any names.

He appeared alongside the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohammed.

The trio had been summoned by the House team to give an update on the measures the security’s top brass had taken to curb the surging violence and cases of banditry across the country ahead of the 2027 polls.

“Nearly all political leaders have an element of goons who are disguised as bouncers, security and who are always escorting politicians to functions. Even when I look around this room I can see some faces…,” stated Murkomen

 “In counties, we now have departments and chief officers managing the goons. This is the case even with governors who parade themselves as the most ardent defenders of human rights,”added the CS.

While noting that over 200 individuals linked to organised gangs had since been arrested, Murkomen went on to call out the lawmakers and leaders, whom he has failed to arrest and prosecute, under the political spectrum accusing them of double speak.

“Every time the goons are arrested it is the same political leaders accusing the government of inaction who rush to say that the youth are being targeted before proceeding to bail them out.  An example is in Kitale where over 170 gang members were arrested following the disruption of a voter registration exercise,” he said.

The CS also placed the blame on the doorstep of the Judiciary, accusing it of not doing enough to curtail the goons' culture in the country.

“One would have thought that you do not need to plead with the Judiciary for them to understand that the country is suffering from the issue of goons and organized gangs. Yet, judges are releasing these people on flimsy fines once they have been arrested.

As long as some opposition leaders appear in court and say that the suspect’s rights have been violated, they release them,” claimed Murkomen.

“Without the conscious support of the Judiciary, this trend will continue.”

His sentiments were seemingly aimed at countering what has been weeks-long accusations by the MPs and the public of inaction and complicity when dealing with criminal gangs.

The CS further expressed regret that cases of organized gangs had become most prevalent in Kisumu, Kakamega , Nakuru, Busia, Nairobi and Siaya counties noting that the vice was now spreading to other counties that traditionally remained peaceful.

“We must now face ourselves as leaders and be honest with ourselves,” he observed.

The MP Gabriel Tongoyo-led House team was, however, not convinced that the police force was doing enough to protect Kenyans and sought answers on the measures taken.

 “It is very clear that you have all the solutions and all that remains is implementation. For instance, you know those that are funding the goons. By not flagging their names, you are perpetuating the problem. Unless they are publicly shamed, we won’t go anywhere as a country,” said Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi.

Teso North MP Edward Kaunya sustained the line of questioning posing, “Why are not able to decisively deal with the issue of political gangs? Is it a financial or political problem because if it is a financial challenge, this House can help you access funds but if it is something else all you need is a declaration.”

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi pressed the CS over the recent attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi seeking to know why the culprits, despite being identified through CCTV footage, had not been arrested.

“On April 8th, the Senator was attacked. I believe there is sufficient technology to identify the goons. Why haven’t they been arrested up to now?” he questioned.

To which the CS responded by claiming that only three suspects had brought themselves forward after their details were circulated to the public. He also claimed that the other 14 individuals involved in the attack had fled to neighbouring countries.

“The DCI is, however, working with our neighbouring countries to ensure they are apprehended. We will also arrest them once they step foot in this country,” stated Murkomen.

He further submitted that guns, bullets and arrests would not solve the issue of goons and called on the political class to “rise in one accord and put an end to the vice.”

“Irresponsible leaders are the greatest threat to national security. The people causing that chaos are in leadership are in leadership and this is the right forum to raise this matter,” he told the MPs

The CS, however, highlighted that some long term measures were being implemented to deal with the issue of organised gangs. They include strengthening the legal and policy framework governing organised crime and economic empowerment initiatives being prioritised to create opportunities for young people, particularly in high-risk areas, thereby reducing the incentives for joining gangs.

The Government, he said, is also focusing on expanding rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, upscaling investments in intelligence and technology to ensure that security agencies remain capable of addressing increasingly sophisticated criminal operations and also implementing governance reforms aimed at addressing political interference and enhancing accountability.