We will confront you face to face if you continue inciting public, Murkomen tells opposition

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned opposition leaders against what he termed as incitement and divisive politics, saying the government will confront leaders who continue to stir ethnic tensions.

Murkomen said political leaders should sell their ideas to Kenyans rather than reducing national discourse to ethnic considerations.

“All political leaders in this country should sell policies to the people. Why are you obsessed with this tribe, that tribe?” he posed.

Without mentioning names directly at first, Murkomen said some leaders are personalising government efforts and framing national issues around individuals and communities.

“I see there is one of them who forgets everything else. Every time he speaks, it is ‘Ruto alisema, Murkomen alisema’ as if there is nobody else in the entire architecture of security,” he said.

The CS who was speaking in Naivasha, Nakuru County, during a security and development tour, said the government will not entertain what he described as divisive politics.

“We know your politics of tribalism and we are not going to entertain that. Sell your policies. Don’t profile me because of my community. I am a Kenyan serving the people of Kenya as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, and I will serve every Kenyan equally,” he said.

Murkomen, who appeared visibly firm in his remarks, warned the opposition against what he termed as petty attacks on security institutions and their leadership.

“Don’t bring your petty, silly politics. I have kept quiet for far too long. We will meet those inciters face to face. And let them stop disrespecting the Inspector General, he is not their child. Kanja and the entire police leadership deserve respect. Let there be some decorum,” he said.

He added that leadership should be anchored on integrity, warning that some of the critics would struggle to withstand scrutiny of their own records.

“If we were to bring their files now, they cannot stand the test of leadership. We want leaders who speak from a point of integrity. Before you lecture us, we will assess your past,” he said.

Murkomen maintained that throughout his political career, he has never engaged in ethnic incitement.

“Since I started politics, you will not find me anywhere where I have incited one community against another or spoken about someone’s tribe. Maybe it is because of how I was brought up,” he said.

During his tour, the CS assessed the state of security and public service delivery and held meetings with National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs), local leaders and law enforcement officials.

The visit focused on strengthening coordination to accelerate development, enhance public safety and improve service delivery in the fast-growing economic zone.

Murkomen also inspected the construction of the Rironi-Mau Summit dual carriageway, a major infrastructure project expected to ease congestion along the busy Northern Corridor.

He later addressed traffic base commanders, directing them to implement measures to minimise disruptions and enhance road safety during the construction period.

He was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan, Regional Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi and Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara.

Also present were Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, Bahati MP Irene Njoki, Members of County Assembly and other national and county government officials.