Murkomen slams Gachagua over personal attacks, urges media objectivity
Murkomen slams Gachagua over personal attacks, urges media objectivity
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over what he termed personal attacks targeting the families of political leaders.
Murkomen accused Gachagua of shifting focus from substantive political issues to attacks on the spouses of leaders associated with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“The other day he was talking about MP Wamumbi’s wife, the next day he was talking about CS Ruku’s wife, and yesterday he woke up to talk about my wife. Let him look for an agenda,” Murkomen said.
The CS also took aim at the United Opposition and the Linda Mwananchi faction, accusing them of lacking a clear programme for governing the country.
“They don’t have an agenda. They are waiting for their boss, who went into retirement, to plan for them,” he said.
Murkomen further sought to reassure Kenyans that the government was firmly in control of the country’s security situation, while accusing sections of the opposition of sponsoring and shielding individuals involved in political violence.
He called on the Judiciary to take firm action against people charged in connection with politically motivated violence, warning that political leaders should not intervene to secure the release of suspects accused of causing unrest.
“When goons are arrested, the opposition should stop the business of running to court to defend them,” Murkomen said.
“We ask the Judiciary to take stern action against those who will be arraigned in court over goonism,” he added.
The CS also expressed regret over the recent assault of journalists during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay, saying attacks on members of the Fourth Estate were unacceptable.
He, however, challenged journalists to maintain professional objectivity when covering political violence, urging them not to take sides in the ongoing political contest.
“To our journalists, stop taking sides in the war against goons,” Murkomen said.
His remarks come amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election, with rival political formations increasingly holding public rallies and mobilising supporters across the country.
Murkomen spoke during an interdenominational church service held at Twiga Primary School in Cherangany, Trans Nzoia County, where he also defended the government’s handling of security and political stability.
The CS’s comments are likely to intensify the political exchange between the Kenya Kwanza administration and opposition-aligned leaders as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.