NAIROBI, Kenya- Constitutional lawyer Willis Evans Otieno has launched a scathing attack on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing him of presiding over a deteriorating security situation marked by political violence, the emergence of armed gangs and growing public anxiety over the state’s ability to protect citizens.
In a statement issued on Monday on X, Otieno described Murkomen as “the most incompetent Cabinet Secretary ever to hold the Interior docket,” arguing that Kenya had witnessed repeated security lapses during his tenure.
“Under his watch, Kenyans have repeatedly witnessed insecurity, political violence, and growing public concern over the State’s ability to protect lives and property. Leadership is measured by results, and the country deserves far better from the ministry entrusted with its security,” Otieno said.
His remarks come against the backdrop of heightened political tensions and a series of violent incidents in recent weeks, including attacks on opposition events and concerns over the activities of armed groups commonly referred to as “goons.”
On Sunday, Otieno separately challenged Murkomen to explain why individuals seen in videos and images carrying crude weapons and allegedly operating alongside police officers had not been arrested.
He questioned what he described as selective enforcement of the law, saying the apparent failure to act against such groups risked eroding public confidence in security agencies.
The lawyer noted that senior government officials had previously alleged that some of the armed groups were organised and financed by opposition politicians, arguing that if those claims were true, they should have resulted in investigations and prosecutions rather than public accusations alone.
The role of so-called goons has become a major point of political contestation in recent months.
Opposition leaders and several civil society groups have accused state agencies of failing to act against violent gangs and, in some instances, alleged that such groups have operated alongside police officers during political confrontations.
Government officials have rejected those allegations, instead accusing opposition figures of sponsoring criminal gangs to disrupt public order. Those competing claims remain politically contested.
Murkomen has defended the government’s security record, saying law enforcement agencies are committed to protecting lives and property and warning that anyone involved in violence or criminal activity will face the law.
He has also accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other opposition figures of allegedly using inflammatory rhetoric that could incite violence.