NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for the removal of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen following rising insecurity in the country and the recent breach of President William Ruto’s security during a public event in Ganze, Kilifi County.
Speaking on Monday, a day after the incident that briefly interrupted President Ruto’s address in Kilifi, Gachagua accused the Interior Ministry of failing in its constitutional duty to guarantee the safety of Kenyans and protect the Head of State.
“We have the former IG Boinnet, who can be a very good Interior Cabinet Secretary…you must do the right thing and fire Murkomen. You cannot have such a reckless person as in charge of security in the country- ex-DP Gachagua to Ruto,” he said.
“This country cannot have Murkomen as CS Interior as we go to the elections.”
The former Deputy President said the repeated security lapses under Murkomen’s watch pointed to deeper failures within the country’s security apparatus.
The remarks came after a young man breached security and approached President Ruto while he was addressing residents during a thanksgiving ceremony for Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs in Ganze, Kilifi County.
The incident forced the President to momentarily pause his speech as members of his security team rushed to restrain the man before escorting him away from the dais. President Ruto later calmed the crowd and instructed officers not to mistreat the individual.
Following the breach, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja termed the incident a matter of “gravest national concern” and announced immediate investigations together with changes to the presidential security detail.
Gachagua argued that the incident exposed dangerous weaknesses within the country’s security leadership and questioned Murkomen’s ability to oversee the Interior Ministry effectively.
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader has, in recent weeks, intensified attacks on Murkomen, accusing him of deflecting blame for the country’s economic and security challenges rather than offering solutions.
In a separate statement issued during his recent tour of the United Kingdom, Gachagua criticised Murkomen for allegedly comparing President William Ruto’s administration to retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government whenever challenges emerge.
The latest criticism comes at a time when the government is facing mounting pressure over insecurity, public unrest linked to rising fuel prices and growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
