MOMBASA, Kenya – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered the immediate arrest of politicians allegedly financing criminal gangs in Kwale County and other parts of the country, accusing them of exploiting unemployed youth for political gain ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Monday during the second day of his Jukwaa La Usalama tour of the Coast region, Murkomen said intelligence reports show some politicians are holding night meetings with young people under the guise of mentorship — only for the youth to end up engaging in criminal activities.
“We have information about politicians holding night meetings, pretending to be helping the youth. If those meetings are progressive, they should be done in broad daylight,” said the CS after a closed-door meeting with regional and county security teams.
Murkomen singled out criminal gangs such as the Panga Boys, warning that many of their members are minors who should be in school.
He emphasized that the government will take a multi-agency approach to dismantle these groups and protect communities from rising insecurity.
“We have intensified security operations in this county and its surroundings. No one will be spared,” he warned, adding that chiefs, assistant chiefs and other law enforcement agencies have been instructed to act decisively.
He further cautioned judicial officers against releasing suspected gang members on bond, saying such leniency undermines efforts to curb insecurity.
“When these people are arrested and released by the courts, they come back thinking they are above the law. We are working to ensure cases are airtight and can withstand prosecution,” said Murkomen.
The Interior CS also warned of disciplinary action against any state officers found colluding with criminals.
Murkomen, who is accompanied by Immigration and Citizen Services PS Belio Kipsang, said the Coast tour is aimed at assessing the security situation in the region.
In Kwale specifically, his focus includes curbing criminal gang activity, addressing school dropout rates, resolving land disputes, and strengthening border security.
The government also intends to tackle drug and substance abuse, human-wildlife conflict, and human trafficking.
Later, Murkomen is expected to hold a Town Hall Meeting at the Kwale Cultural Centre to engage with residents and local security teams.
He will also visit the Matuga Mobile ID Registration Centre to interact with locals and assess government service delivery.
