NAIROBI, Kenya- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo are under mounting pressure over rising claims of politically-linked violence, following chaotic scenes in Kikuyu that disrupted a rally linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The controversy intensified after senior lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi accused the Office of the President and senior security officials of failing to rein in what he described as “goons”, groups allegedly used to intimidate political opponents ahead of the 2027 elections.
His remarks come in the wake of violent incidents in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, where politically linked gangs blocked roads, lit fires, and attacked motorists hours before Gachagua’s planned political engagement.
“That is why it’s both alarming and senseless for mandarins in the Office of the President to have goons and militia that compete with the police and other security officers under their control,” the lawyer said.
Gachagua Claims State-Linked Violence
Gachagua has directly accused Murkomen and Omollo of orchestrating the chaos, alleging that organised groups were deployed to sabotage his rally and intimidate supporters.
He claimed the attackers operated for hours with little to no police intervention.
The former Deputy President further alleged collusion between criminal gangs and elements within the security apparatus, claims that have not been independently verified but have significantly heightened political tensions.
In a strongly worded statement, Gachagua described the alleged use of hired gangs as a “dangerous pattern” in Kenya’s evolving political landscape, accusing the government of using intimidation to suppress dissent.
Government Pushback and Crackdown Orders
In response, Murkomen has denied any involvement and instead ordered a nationwide crackdown on criminal gangs and politically-linked militias.
He directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to arrest individuals involved in violence, warning that “goons and gangs” have no place in Kenya’s political process.
Murkomen also condemned the recent attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, terming it “totally unacceptable” and urging leaders to steer away from violence as political activity intensifies.
At the same time, allies of the government have pushed back against Gachagua’s claims.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah accused the former Deputy President of mobilising gangs to destabilise Kikuyu, further deepening the blame game.
Growing Concern Over Political Violence
The Kikuyu incident has become the latest flashpoint in a series of violent confrontations linked to political events across the country.
Analysts warn that the normalization of “goonism” could signal a worrying return to militia-style politics if not urgently addressed.
Abdullahi’s remarks have amplified public debate, calling for accountability at the highest levels of government and warning that parallel security structures could undermine the authority of formal law enforcement.
“The buck stops with the Interior Ministry,” he argued, urging decisive action to dismantle any militia networks operating within or alongside state structures.
A Test for Security Agencies
With the 2027 elections approaching, the spotlight is now firmly on Kenya’s security leadership to demonstrate neutrality and restore public confidence.
Whether the latest allegations are substantiated or remain part of political rhetoric, the unfolding events underscore a critical concern: the re-emergence of organised political violence in Kenya’s democratic space.
For many Kenyans, the question is no longer just who is responsible—but whether the state can decisively act before the situation spirals further out of control.
