TANA RIVER, Kenya – Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has reiterated the Government’s stance on free speech and dismissed any suggestions of censorship in relation to the controversial ‘Echoes of War’ play by students of Butere Girls’ High School.
Speaking to journalists in Tana River during his ongoing Jukwaa La Usalama county tour, Murkomen clarified that he never condemned the play, which was slated for performance during the 63rd Kenya National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru County.
The controversy surrounding the play erupted after Murkomen made comments regarding the involvement of political activists in the education sector.
He emphasized that his concern was not with the play itself but with the participation of political figures in the educational experiences of students.
“I never said anything against the play or its script,” Murkomen stated. “What I criticized was the involvement of political activists in the education of our children. The Government is not threatened by ‘Echoes of War’ or any other script.”
Murkomen, a former literature student, stressed the importance of freedom of speech and acknowledged the role of literature in shaping young minds.
However, he maintained that the professional training of teachers and adherence to the education code of conduct should be prioritized in managing student activities.
“Teachers are the best-suited professionals to guide our students. They must adhere to their code of conduct, ensuring that students are protected from any external political influence,” he added.
The Cabinet Secretary also called for restraint from politicians, urging them to refrain from using students for political purposes.
He emphasized that the Government supports freedom of expression, as long as it does not promote hate speech or glorify crime.
Murkomen offered an apology for the incident involving the tear-gassing of journalists covering Butere Girls’ rehearsals.
He expressed regret for the actions of security personnel and vowed to take appropriate action against any officials found to have used excessive force.
“This was an unfortunate incident, and I sincerely apologize for what transpired,” he said. “We will ensure that any security officials involved in the excessive use of force are held accountable.”
In addition to addressing the controversy over the play, Murkomen provided updates on his county tour, which aims to evaluate the delivery of government services.
In Tana River, the CS assessed the ongoing mobile registration of IDs, a key initiative to improve access to identity documentation.
JUKWAA LA USALAMA NATIONWIDE TOUR – TANA RIVER CHAPTERArrived at Hola, Tana River County, for the 5th day of the Jukwaa la Usalama nationwide tour. After a meeting with the County Security Committee, we will conduct a spot check of the Mobile ID Registration exercise and then
He also highlighted the Government’s efforts to eliminate the extra vetting of ID applicants from border counties and the removal of fees for first-time applicants.
Murkomen also spoke about Tana River’s vulnerability to climate change.
The region, which suffers from severe drought for half of the year and frequent flooding during other periods, faces heightened tensions between farmers and pastoralists.
The CS emphasized that climate-induced conflicts are among the critical challenges that need urgent attention.
“We must explore ways of mitigating the effects of climate change, particularly in Tana River, where conflicts are escalating due to droughts and floods. Better disaster response mechanisms are essential,” he said.
In his address, Murkomen also focused on improving the welfare of police officers and administrators, acknowledging the shortage of personnel and the negative impact it has on rotations and staff morale.
To address these issues, he outlined plans to recruit 10,000 new police officers and improve the rotation system to ensure no officer feels as if they are stationed in difficult areas for an extended period.
“No part of the country should be seen as a punishment post for any officer,” he asserted, reiterating his commitment to improving the working conditions for law enforcement personnel.
JUKWAA LA USALAMA NATIONWIDE TOUR – TANA RIVER CHAPTERFollowing H.E. President @WilliamsRuto’s proclamation in February that discontinued extra vetting requirements for those seeking IDs in border counties, I inspected the Mobile ID Registration exercise at Hola Primary School
Murkomen was accompanied by several local leaders, including Governor Dr. Dhadho Godhana, Senator Danson Mungatana, MPs Abdullahi Amina Dika (Woman Rep), Hiribae Said Buya (Galole), Ali Wario (Garsen), and Yakub Adow Kuno (Bura).
The event also included participation from high-ranking officials, such as Deputy Inspector General of Police (APS) Gilbert Masengeli and Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha.
