Murkomen: Some reported abduction cases may be staged

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen speaking on March 23, 2026 / HANDOUT

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has claimed that some reported abduction cases in the country may be staged, alleging that certain individuals could be faking disappearances to gain public sympathy and tarnish the government’s image.

Murkomen said enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings are no longer taking place under the current administration, maintaining that the government is committed to the rule of law.

The CS alleged that some individuals may be deliberately orchestrating their own disappearances.

“Cases of abduction and extrajudicial killings are no more in our government. The President and the Ministry of Interior have ensured there are no insecurity issues. We are a government of the rule of law. We only deal with criminals according to the rule of law. You have seen some people abducting themselves. They are doing that to get sympathy,” he said.

Referring to a recent incident, Murkomen said he had been informed that former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju was missing but later received information from investigators suggesting otherwise.

“The other day, I was on a plane from London, and I was told that former CS Raphael Tuju is missing. I asked the DCI, and they said that his family claimed he was missing, but according to investigations, he was in his house,” he said.

Murkomen called on the Judiciary to take firm action against individuals found culpable of staging such incidents, warning that failure to do so could set a dangerous precedent.

He also said that security agencies rely on intelligence to track developments, urging the public not to spread information that could cause alarm.

“DCI told me not to worry because Tuju switched off his phone, which they said happened at his residence. I asked them to verify. The family had reported to the police but had asked officers not to go to their home. Later, police went to the residence,” he added.

Murkomen’s remarks come amid controversy surrounding Tuju’s reported disappearance, which had triggered public concern.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has also dismissed claims that Tuju was abducted, stating that investigations indicated he remained at his Karen residence during the period in question.

DCI Director Amin Mohammed said intelligence gathered during a multi-agency operation pointed to Tuju’s presence at home, even as officers sought access to the residence.

“The DCI conclusively established that Raphael Tuju was physically present within his residence throughout the period in question,” Amin said.

Police further indicated that Tuju’s phone had been switched off on the evening of March 21 while he was reportedly at home.

He was later arrested after resurfacing, with authorities citing the provision of false information and potential risks to national security.