Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has strongly cautioned political leaders who are recruiting goons to cause trouble at campaign rallies in the lead-up to the upcoming by-elections, cautioning that the hired hands and their political sponsors will be held accountable.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Murkomen was worried about increased politically motivated violence, particularly the use of criminal gangs to harass rivals and disrupt gatherings.
“For the next month, we’re going after the gang leaders, the goons, and most importantly the individuals financing them,” Murkomen said. “If you’re a politician who is hiring youths to attack individuals, destroy property, and threaten harmony, we’re coming for you as well.”
The CS specifically mentioned areas in Western Kenya as hotspots of political criminality, noting that the use of hired goons has turned into an underground industry.
According to Murkomen, some Members of County Assembly (MCAs) are said to control groups with as many as 100 goons, while Members of Parliament may have more ranging from 200 to 500. In the more severe cases, he claimed, senior county leaders may be funding gangs with over 2,000 members.
“It has become a business venture. People are earning a livelihood from violence. That cannot be allowed to continue,” he emphasized.
Murkomen’s warning comes as the country prepares for by-elections scheduled for November 27, and campaigns are already heating up. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has started the election schedule, with major dates imminent.
Political parties were required to submit the names and specimen signatures of their authorized agents on or before Wednesday, September 17. Registration of nominations for political party candidates and independents will be done on October 8 and 9.
The by-elections will be for over 20 elective seats at different levels of government from ward-level MCA seats to parliamentary and senatorial seats.
Vacant MCA seats are:
Kariobangi North (Nairobi)
Angata Nanyokie (Samburu)
Chemundu (Nandi)
Chewani (Tana River)
Fafi (Garissa)
Kisa East (Kakamega)
Metkei (Elgeyo Marakwet)
Mumbuni North (Machakos)
Purko (Kajiado)
Tembelio (Uasin Gishu)
Also vacant is the Baringo Senatorial seat, in addition to six parliamentary constituencies: Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja.
The Ministry of Interior has vowed to work with security agencies and the IEBC to ensure the elections are peaceful and credible.
Murkomen reiterated that the government will not allow a reversal to “politics of violence and fear” and warned that any leader who will be found undermining public security will be handled firmly in accordance with the law.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has strongly cautioned political leaders who are recruiting goons to cause trouble at campaign rallies in the lead-up to the upcoming by-elections, cautioning that the hired hands and their political sponsors will be held accountable.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Murkomen was worried about increased politically motivated violence, particularly the use of criminal gangs to harass rivals and disrupt gatherings.
“For the next month, we’re going after the gang leaders, the goons, and most importantly the individuals financing them,” Murkomen said. “If you’re a politician who is hiring youths to attack individuals, destroy property, and threaten harmony, we’re coming for you as well.”
The CS specifically mentioned areas in Western Kenya as hotspots of political criminality, noting that the use of hired goons has turned into an underground industry.
According to Murkomen, some Members of County Assembly (MCAs) are said to control groups with as many as 100 goons, while Members of Parliament may have more ranging from 200 to 500.
In the more severe cases, he claimed, senior county leaders may be funding gangs with over 2,000 members.
“It has become a business venture. People are earning a livelihood from violence. That cannot be allowed to continue,” he emphasized.
Murkomen’s warning comes as the country prepares for by-elections scheduled for November 27, and campaigns are already heating up. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has started the election schedule, with major dates imminent.
Political parties were required to submit the names and specimen signatures of their authorized agents on or before Wednesday, September 17.
Registration of nominations for political party candidates and independents will be done on October 8 and 9.
The by-elections will be for over 20 elective seats at different levels of government from ward-level MCA seats to parliamentary and senatorial seats.
Vacant MCA seats are:
Kariobangi North (Nairobi)
Angata Nanyokie (Samburu)
Chemundu (Nandi)
Chewani (Tana River)
Fafi (Garissa)
Kisa East (Kakamega)
Metkei (Elgeyo Marakwet)
Mumbuni North (Machakos)
Purko (Kajiado)
Tembelio (Uasin Gishu)
Also vacant is the Baringo Senatorial seat, in addition to six parliamentary constituencies: Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, and Ugunja.
The Ministry of Interior has vowed to work with security agencies and the IEBC to ensure the elections are peaceful and credible.
Murkomen reiterated that the government will not allow a reversal to “politics of violence and fear” and warned that any leader who will be found undermining public security will be handled firmly in accordance with the law.
