The rising wave of insecurity across the country has left Kenyans questioning the competence of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
From banditry in the North Rift to terror attacks in the northeastern region, the CS appears utterly overwhelmed, more focused on political battles than delivering on his mandate.
Just a month ago, as Turkana residents mourned the loss of 20 people in a cross-border attack, Murkomen was busy in Eldama Ravine, launching verbal attacks against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
CS Kipchumba Murkomen during a past event. Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen Source: Facebook
Instead of addressing the escalating banditry, he engaged in political chest-thumping, oblivious to the fact that his portfolio demands national security leadership.
This is not the first time Murkomen’s incompetence is being exposed. During his tenure as Transport CS, he oversaw chaos in the roads sector, but at least roads can be fixed later.
His failure in the Interior docket, however, means lives are being lost lives that can never be recovered.
The North Rift has descended into lawlessness despite multiple military and police operations. Bandits have grown so emboldened that they now stage attacks even in the presence of government officials.
CS Kipchumba Murkomen as he appeared before a parliamentary committee
Just recently, a chief was shot dead in Loruk, Baringo County, while Head of Public Service Felix Koskei was holding a meeting nearby. Clearly, criminals do not take Murkomen’s leadership seriously.
Under his watch, Al-Shabaab militants have regained confidence, launching brazen attacks in northeastern Kenya.
In February, five chiefs were abducted in Mandera, yet their whereabouts remain unknown.
The US recently issued a travel advisory, warning its citizens against visiting parts of Kenya due to rising terror threats.
This alone underscores the government’s failure to contain security threats.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif has accused security agencies of ignoring intelligence warnings before recent Al-Shabaab attacks.
According to him, local informants had alerted authorities about an imminent attack, yet no action was taken. Instead, officers showed up late—only to collect bodies.
Even Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has called out Murkomen’s incompetence.
In a post on X, Cherargei wrote: “What I saw two years ago about CS Murkomen’s INCOMPETENCE can now be seen! At least incompetence in roads meant it could be fixed later, but incompetence in internal security means lives are lost that cannot be recovered! No wonder HOPS Koskei had to go and confront bandits in the North Rift over the weekend.”
The contrast between Murkomen and his predecessor, Kithure Kindiki, is stark. Under Kindiki, insecurity was largely contained.
Now, the country is grappling with marauding machete gangs, rampant terror attacks, and worsening lawlessness even in towns like Kapsabet, where a person was killed just 200 meters from the police headquarters.
If President Ruto is serious about securing the country, he must replace Murkomen before Kenya plunges further into anarchy.
