NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 21 – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has accused Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino of mobilising goons from Nairobi to Homa Bay, alleging that some of the youths evaded interception by travelling with the governor.
Murkomen said security agencies intercepted a group of youths allegedly headed to Homa Bay, but claimed some managed to enter the county after accompanying Orengo.
“Orengo and Babu had mobilised goons from Nairobi, but the DCI intercepted them en route to Homa Bay. Some of the goons managed to sneak into Homa Bay because they walked with Orengo,” Murkomen said.
The Interior CS also criticised calls for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to intervene in Kenya’s political and security disputes, appearing to direct his remarks at those seeking international scrutiny of alleged political violence.
“Now they are calling upon the ICC. If we call them, Orengo would be hanged even before the case is heard because he is known to be working with the worst goons in the country. Just because I am quiet, it doesn’t mean we don’t know,” he stated.
Murkomen’s remarks come amid growing political tensions over allegations of organised youth groups being used to disrupt political activities ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Goons narrative
The CS also turned his criticism on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of raising the issue of political goons for electoral reasons.
Murkomen argued that incidents involving political violence and hired youth groups predated President William Ruto’s administration.
“If Gachagua were not contesting any elective seat, he would not be speaking about goons. The narrative he is trying to portray that the issue of goons started with Ruto is false,” Murkomen said.
He cited incidents during the 2022 election campaign, including an attack on Ruto’s campaign convoy in Kieni and violence in Kondele, Kisumu County, as examples of political confrontations that occurred before the current administration.
“In 2021, Ruto was stoned in Kieni during his campaigns. The same happened in Kondele, Kisumu County. Was I the Interior CS at the time? When he mobilised goons to steal from Uhuru’s farm, didn’t he know that they were bad?” Murkomen posed.
The remarks appeared to be a response to Gachagua’s recent criticism of the use of organised youth groups in political activities and his calls for the government to address what he has described as a growing security threat.
Murkomen defended his decision to focus on broader security responsibilities rather than what he described as political disputes involving a small number of leaders.
He said politicians should resolve their disagreements within Parliament and avoid involving ordinary citizens in political confrontations.
“I have people claim that Murkomen has not talked about goons. If it was a problem of the common mwananchi, maybe I would have, but these politicians, who form 0.00001 percent want us to leave our jobs to talk about goons,” he said.
He warned political leaders against mobilising supporters in ways that could trigger wider unrest.
“For politicians, if you want to fight, you are free to exchange blows in Parliament, but don’t bring it to the citizens so that you create a crisis,” Murkomen stated.
The Interior CS’s comments come as political parties and leaders increasingly turn their attention to the 2027 elections, with security agencies facing pressure to prevent political mobilisation from escalating into violence.
The government has repeatedly warned political actors against recruiting or using groups of youths to disrupt rallies and intimidate opponents, while opposition figures have accused the administration of tolerating or deploying similar groups during political events.
