Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended President William Ruto’s tough remarks on imposing the death penalty for hard drug traffickers, saying they were meant to underscore the government’s resolve to confront a growing national crisis.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Monday night, Murkomen clarified that the President’s comments were not a literal call for executions but a figurative expression of how far the country is prepared to go to protect young people from alcohol abuse and hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
“The President wanted to express the extreme measures we are willing to take as a nation,” Murkomen said, noting that the death penalty has been declared unconstitutional.
He explained that Ruto’s remarks were driven by frustration over the devastating impact of drugs, illicit brews, and unregulated gambling, which he said are destroying lives, families, and communities.
“Young people are dying because of alcohol addiction and the abuse of hard drugs such as cocaine. These are people we know — our neighbours and friends,” Murkomen stated.
The Cabinet Secretary said the government’s focus is on practical and lawful interventions rather than unconstitutional punishments.
He revealed that discussions with the President had centred on strengthening existing laws, including expanding the list of drugs that attract life sentences and imposing harsher penalties such as asset seizures.
“When we sat down with the President, he was agreeable to enhancing the number of drugs that attract life sentences,” Murkomen said.
He also warned of emerging threats posed by newly manufactured substances that were not previously covered under existing laws, noting that they are increasingly being consumed by young people and are causing severe harm.