Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen speaks at Kapsamoo in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County/MINAInterior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has told Opposition leaders to stop interfering with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), insisting that political actors must respect the electoral body's independence.
Murkomen said politicians should allow the IEBC to discharge its constitutional mandate without interference, accusing some Opposition figures of attempting to control the electoral process while also positioning themselves as contestants.
“You see someone talking about the IEBC. He wants to be the contractor, candidate, and referee at the same time,” Murkomen said.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen speaks at Kapsamoo in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County/MINA
The CS urged Opposition leaders to “stick to their lanes” and focus on developing policies and manifestos that can convince Kenyans ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Murkomen also criticised what he described as a lack of clear ideas and policies within the Opposition, particularly among young politicians seeking to challenge President William Ruto.
“I’m surprised to see young people of my age campaigning and saying that a manifesto is not important,” he said.
“There has never been an Opposition that is as poor in ideas and policies as what we have right now.”
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at Kapsamoo in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County/MINA
Murkomen was speaking at Kapsamoo in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County, where he accompanied Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to an interdenominational church service and fundraising drive to support infrastructure development for 22 churches.
He used the occasion to defend the Kenya Kwanza administration's development record, saying President Ruto's performance compared favourably with previous administrations.
“They want to challenge President Ruto, whose track record is second to none,” Murkomen said.
The CS's remarks come as political parties and leaders intensify preparations for the 2027 General Election, with the management and independence of the IEBC emerging as a major issue in political debate.
The Opposition has repeatedly raised concerns over preparations for the polls and called for safeguards to ensure the electoral process is free and fair.
Murkomen, however, maintained that political leaders should concentrate on persuading voters through their policies instead of seeking to influence the electoral management body.
Deputy President Kindiki echoed Murkomen's call for Opposition leaders to develop clear manifestos and compete with the government on the basis of ideas and their development record.
“I want to ask those who want to compete with President Ruto to come up with a manifesto and tell the people of Kenya about their vision,” Kindiki said.
The event brought together a number of senior government and political leaders, including Governors Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu), Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok) and Stephen Sang (Nandi).
Also present were Principal Secretaries Belio Kipsang and Julius Bitok, Senators Jackson Mandago and Vincent Chemitei, and MPs Oscar Sudi, Reuben Kiborek, William Kamket and Joseph Wainaina.
Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli and several Members of County Assembly also attended the event.
