Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya (mugshot)/SCREENGRABInterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the withdrawal of security officers assigned to Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.
Speaking in Elgeyo-Marakwet County during President William Ruto’s tour of the region, Murkomen accused the county chief of associating with goons and planning violence.
He said the government would not allow politicians to use security officers assigned to them to facilitate violence.
“Political goonism must be finished. There are politicians who are enjoying the security provided by the government. They have police officers but still plan violence,” Murkomen said.
The CS accused the governor of maintaining links with individuals he described as goons while continuing to enjoy government-provided security.
“We have a governor here in neighbouring Trans Nzoia, who hangs around with goons and plans chaos,” he said.
“He wants to have police officers and at the same time he is planning violence. We will not allow any politician to use government offices and government security to plan violence.”
Murkomen said officials responsible for the country's security would remain firm in dealing with what he described as political violence, insisting they would not be intimidated.
“We will stand firm and not be intimidated as those in charge of the security sector,” he added.
His remarks come after Natembeya raised concerns over the withdrawal of his security detail, demanding a formal explanation from Inspector-General of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja.
The governor said the withdrawal had happened for the second time, raising questions about whether the authorities had followed the constitutional and legal procedures governing changes to security arrangements for public officials.
In a statement, Natembeya argued that decisions affecting his personal security must comply with the Constitution and the rule of law.
He cited Article 47 of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair. The provision also requires written reasons where administrative action adversely affects a right or fundamental freedom.
Natembeya further invoked Article 238, which stipulates that national security must be pursued in compliance with the law and with respect for the rule of law, democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms.
He also cited Article 244, which requires the National Police Service to maintain high standards of professionalism and discipline while respecting human rights, fundamental freedoms and human dignity.
The governor said the repeated withdrawal of his security warranted an explanation from the police leadership, questioning whether due process had been followed.
The dispute comes amid heightened political tensions in the Rift Valley, where Ruto has been conducting a series of public rallies.
