NANDI, Kenya— Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a warning to political leaders allegedly inciting ethnic hatred and violence.
The Interior CS says the government will not hesitate to prosecute those stoking unrest ahead of the 2027 elections.
This comes after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua cautioned the country’s electoral body against altering 2027 presidential outcome, or risk worse incidents than 2007 post election violence.
The Interior CS condemned what he described as a dangerous, ethnically charged political campaign that threatens national cohesion, urging leaders to “choose peace” or face the full force of the law.
The remarks have drawn widespread condemnation across the political spectrum, with many calling them reckless and dangerously provocative.
Murkomen accused the former deputy president of having a record of violent political conduct.
He further warned newly elected leaders against aligning themselves with political figures he described as “merchants of violence and chaos.”
“If you’re following them, you better run. When we come for them, we will also come for you,” he warned.
Murkomen defended the Ruto administration’s performance, saying it inherited a broken economy and has since stabilized it.
He accused the government’s critics of lacking any tangible development record and instead resorting to divisive tribal rhetoric.
“Tribalists don’t want us to talk about development because they have nothing to show. For two years, they’ve delivered nothing,” he said.
While affirming the government’s respect for constructive criticism, the CS drew a line at incitement, saying the state will surveil and pursue individuals plotting to destabilize the country.
“We respect opposition leaders who hold us accountable. But if you want to burn this country, we will track your every move. You are on our radar, day and night,” Murkomen said. “You will not have space to operate.”
He also urged leaders to emulate President William Ruto’s restraint during the turbulent final years of the previous administration, suggesting Gachagua should learn to control his temper.
“President Ruto endured five years of mistreatment from his boss, but he never resorted to such verbal diarrhoea,” Murkomen said. “If you want to lead this country, contain your temper.”
Murkomen’s fiery remarks underline the government’s zero-tolerance stance on political incitement as the 2027 campaign season begins to stir.
He was accompanied by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Nandi Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot, and MPs Julius Melly (Tinderet), Marianne Kitany (Aldai), Paul Biego Polo (Chesumei), Bernard Kitur (Nandi Hills), and Cynthia Muge (County MP).
