Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern call to the Judiciary to impose severe sentences on individuals involved in recent violent protests across the country, warning that failure to act decisively could plunge Kenya into lawlessness.
Murkomen has called on the Chief Justice to take the lead and deal firmly with the perpetrators of recent protests that have seen police stations being burnt, businesses looted, and property destroyed.
Speaking when he accompanied President Ruto on a development tour of Elgeyo Marakwet County, the CS said if the Judiciary doesn’t complement the Executive in dealing firmly with violent protesters and their sponsors, the country risks descending into anarchy.
“They wanted to test whether we would take legal action. We will arrest all criminals who are attacking people and burning their property. We have seen demonstrations before, but what we witnessed recently is unprecedented – goons burning police stations, stealing guns, and burning courts. That’s not what Article 37 of our constitution provided for,” Murkomen said.
The Interior CS also directed a warning to political leaders allegedly inciting or supporting the chaos, stating that no one, regardless of their position, will be exempt from legal accountability.“Any leader, whether an MCA, MP, governor or whatever position, will have their day in court,” he declared.
President Ruto is on a day-long development tour of the county in which he will launch projects, including the commissioning of the Etio Dam Project and Simotwo Water Project, the groundbreaking of the Tirwane Water Project, tree planting, and officiating at a ceremony to mark the 9th Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Programme.
