NAIROBI, Kenya – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has been summoned to appear before the National Assembly on Tuesday, August 25, to explain the government’s response to rising political violence, attacks on civilians and alleged goonism during political rallies.
The summons follow growing concern among MPs over a series of violent incidents reported in Homa Bay, Nyandarua and Nakuru counties as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gilgil MP Martha Wangari raised the matter in the National Assembly on Thursday, asking the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security to seek a comprehensive statement from the Interior CS.
“In recent weeks, the country has witnessed a worrying escalation of violence, disruption of political rallies and destruction of property during political rallies, with recent incidents reported in Homa Bay, Nyandarua and Nakuru counties,” Wangari said.
She said reports of deaths, attacks on civilians, police officers and journalists, inflammatory remarks and destruction of property were threatening Kenyans’ democratic freedoms and national cohesion.
MPs demand answers on political violence
Wangari told the House that incidents initially viewed as isolated cases appeared to be escalating into organised violence involving crude weapons.
“It is regrettable that despite the recurrence of these incidents, decisive action has yet to be taken to bring the perpetrators to account,” she said.
She wants Murkomen to provide the National Assembly with the total number of political violence incidents reported across the country over the past 12 months.
The CS is also expected to provide details on the progress of investigations, identify suspected perpetrators and explain what action has been taken against those responsible.
Murkomen will further be required to give the number of fatalities and injuries attributed to political violence during the period.
MPs also want the Interior Ministry to outline measures being implemented to curb political intolerance and prevent politically motivated violence as Kenya approaches the 2027 polls.
Wangari warned that continued violence could undermine national stability and investor confidence.
Homa Bay violence raises fresh concerns
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo raised particularly serious allegations concerning violence reported in Homa Bay during Linda Mwananchi’s tour of the county last Sunday.
Odhiambo told Parliament that she had received reports of deaths and alleged sexual assaults against women during the unrest.
“Mr Speaker, we are told that in Homa Bay the deaths are under-reported and not less than 12 people died,” she said, while asking that the number of women allegedly assaulted be established.
She also said she had personally met two women who were allegedly assaulted, including one woman from Kwale whom she said had suffered a head injury.
Odhiambo further claimed that the violence had spread beyond political gatherings, citing the reported vandalism of two Seventh-day Adventist churches in Homa Bay.
She condemned the alleged attacks on places of worship, describing them as particularly disturbing given the religious significance of the period to the affected community.
The claims raised in Parliament have yet to be independently established, and MPs are seeking an official account from the security agencies.
MPs warn violence could spread
Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda warned that political violence could eventually affect every region if authorities fail to intervene.
She criticised the emergence of groups openly carrying machetes and other crude weapons during political activities.
“Right now we can cheer because it is somewhere else; it will come to bite us,” Lesuuda said.
She urged leaders across the political divide to condemn violence regardless of which party or region is involved.
Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo described the Homa Bay incident as more serious than ordinary political violence.
“It was premeditated terrorism,” Oundo said, calling for an expedited government response before Parliament proceeds on recess.
Banissa MP Hassan Maalim also condemned the reported violence, saying such incidents should not be allowed to spread to other parts of the country.
Murkomen to face MPs on Tuesday
The Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security has committed to prioritising the matter.
Committee chairperson Gabriel Tongoyo said the issue had national security implications and confirmed that Murkomen would be required to appear before the House.
“Given the urgency and the importance of this, which is actually a national security concern, we are going to prioritise it to be addressed by the minister on Tuesday,” Tongoyo said.
