NAIROBI, Kenya- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed concerns over the presence of political goons in Kenya, insisting that the country remains safe despite growing reports of violence linked to political activities.
Murkomen said there was no national crisis involving goons and questioned why people would knowingly enter areas where they believed violent groups were present.
“There’s no crisis of goons in the country. Kenya is safe. If you know there are goons in a certain location, why are you going there?” Murkomen said.
His remarks come amid renewed political tensions and allegations that organised groups are being deployed to disrupt political meetings and intimidate political opponents ahead of the 2027 General Election.
On Friday, Murkomen accused Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino of mobilising youths from Nairobi to travel to Homa Bay, where political tensions have recently escalated.
He claimed security agencies intercepted some of the youths on their way to the county.
The Interior CS has previously warned politicians against sponsoring or using criminal groups for political purposes, saying security agencies would pursue those found to be financing violence.
In April, Murkomen told MPs that more than 100 suspected gangs were operating in Kenya, with some allegedly enjoying political influence and involvement in activities including extortion, drug trafficking and land-related disputes.
His latest remarks are likely to reignite debate over the government’s handling of allegations of political violence, particularly as opposition leaders and civil society groups continue to raise concerns over attacks at political gatherings.
The issue has gained prominence following several incidents involving alleged goons at political events, including violence reported during the Ol Kalou by-election and recent clashes surrounding political activities in western Kenya.
Murkomen has maintained that security agencies are capable of dealing with criminal gangs and has repeatedly warned politicians against exploiting the issue of goonism for political gain.
In July, he said no political side was free of individuals accused of organising goons and warned that politicians found to be financing violence would be arrested once investigators obtained sufficient evidence.
The remarks come days after violence during a political gathering in Homa Bay, where suspected goons attacked a convoy associated with the Linda Mwananchi campaign on August 16.
Groups of youths blocked roads and attacked members of the political entourage.
Vehicles were damaged and some were set ablaze during the clashes.
Some youths received between Sh2,000 and Sh4,000 to participate in the disruption.
The Homa Bay violence has triggered fresh political accusations, with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i alleging that the mobilisation of goons was part of a wider pattern of political violence.
He claimed President William Ruto was aware of plans to mobilise youths ahead of the Homa Bay rally, an allegation the government has not accepted as fact.
–Ol Kalou violence–
The concerns over goons had already become prominent during the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission warned before the vote that it had received reports of suspected goons being mobilised to disrupt the electoral process.
IEBC chairman Erastus Ethekon called on political actors and their supporters to avoid violence and intimidation.
On election day, hooded and armed men were filmed moving through parts of Ol Kalou in SUVs, with reports of gunfire and residents fleeing the streets.
The incident prompted Murkomen to order an investigation, saying anyone found responsible for the violence would face the law regardless of who deployed them.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations subsequently confirmed that it had opened investigations into the violence and the presence of armed and hooded individuals during the by-election.
Detectives said they were examining digital evidence, interviewing witnesses and pursuing other leads to identify those responsible.
