MACHAKOS, Kenya- Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has called for the resignation of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Principal Secretary for Internal Security Raymond Omollo, accusing the country’s security leadership of failing to curb what he described as a growing wave of political goonism.
Speaking amid heightened debate over recent incidents of violence linked to alleged hired gangs, Mwangangi said the Interior Ministry should take political responsibility for what he termed a deterioration in public security.
He argued that repeated incidents of violence during political gatherings and public events point to systemic failures within the country’s security apparatus.
“The Interior Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary should resign because they have failed to protect Kenyans from the growing menace of goonism,” Mwangangi said.
The Deputy Governor questioned how security agencies could announce investigations into suspected goons while, in his view, possessing intelligence capabilities that should already identify those responsible.
He criticised recent remarks by Interior CS Murkomen indicating that suspects linked to violence during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election would be investigated, arguing that law enforcement agencies should already have sufficient information to apprehend those involved.
Calls for accountability
Mwangangi accused the government of failing to adequately safeguard the lives and property of citizens, alleging that ordinary Kenyans had increasingly become victims of violence instead of beneficiaries of state protection.
He further condemned what he described as increasing attacks on journalists, saying the media must be allowed to carry out its constitutional role without intimidation or interference.
“The media has a constitutional responsibility to inform the public and should be allowed to perform that duty freely,” he said.
Referring to the recent violence reported during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, the Deputy Governor praised residents for resisting attempts by alleged criminal gangs to interfere with the electoral process.
He urged Kenyans to remain vigilant in defending democratic freedoms and called for future elections to be conducted peacefully, free from intimidation and politically motivated violence.
Growing political debate
Mwangangi warned that failure to decisively address allegations of organised political violence could erode public confidence in the country’s security institutions.
He maintained that the resignation of the Interior CS and the Principal Secretary would demonstrate accountability for insecurity occurring under their leadership.
The Deputy Governor’s remarks come amid increasing political debate over alleged incidents of goonism during demonstrations and electoral activities, with opposition leaders and government critics demanding stronger action against those responsible.
The Interior Ministry and the National Police Service have maintained that investigations into recent incidents remain ongoing and have pledged to bring perpetrators to justice.