NAIROBI, Kenya-Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has strongly rejected claims by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua that he is using State resources to position himself as the political kingpin of the Rift Valley region.
In a lengthy statement on Thursday, Murkomen accused the former Deputy President of engaging in divisive politics, saying his recent public remarks were intended to sow discord and undermine national unity.
“I have been following with concern and shock Rigathi Gachagua’s public pronouncements and talks in recent days,” Murkomen said.
He accused Gachagua of making statements that promote ethnic division and political intolerance.
“His daily diatribe, interspersed with vitriol, misogyny, lies, ethnic jingoism and hate are carefully crafted to sow division, incite violence, extort and bully politicians to join his party and cement his imaginary status as a regional kingpin,” Murkomen said.
The Cabinet Secretary argued that the notion of political “kingpinship” has no constitutional or cultural basis.
“A position that neither exists in the Constitution nor in our socio-cultural setups,” he said.
Murkomen’s remarks came after Gachagua accused him of using government resources and his position as Interior Cabinet Secretary to build political influence in the Rift Valley ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The former Deputy President has in recent days claimed that Murkomen is seeking to establish himself as the region’s political kingpin while undertaking official government engagements.
Responding to the allegations, Murkomen said Gachagua had repeatedly mentioned him during political meetings held at his Wamunyoro residence, accusing the former Deputy President of attempting to distract attention from what he termed “clandestine criminal activities.”
“Addressing delegations to his rural home, which he retreated to after his self-inflicted fall, he besmirches my name daily in the name of criticising security failures, while in the real sense, he is trying to divert my attention away from the clandestine criminal activities that he executes through his lieutenants,” he said.
Murkomen further alleged that Gachagua had enlisted political allies to sustain attacks against him.
“After realizing that his attacks were not enough to shake my resolve, he has now changed tack and activated his sleeper cell of political accomplices from Rift Valley to aid him in his nefarious plot,” he said.
The Interior CS also claimed it was not a coincidence that Gachagua had echoed allegations earlier made against him by some Members of Parliament.
“It is no coincidence that Gachagua was today amplifying the false accusations made against me by his co-conspirators in Parliament and public gatherings early in the week,” he said.
Murkomen maintained that he would remain focused on his responsibilities as Interior Cabinet Secretary despite the political attacks.
“I remain steadfast and unwavering in discharging my duties, and when time allows, will join wananchi in any part of the country in worship and other social activities as usual,” he said.
The exchange is the latest escalation in the war of words between the two leaders, who have increasingly clashed over security, governance and political mobilisation as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election.
