The Standard newspaper has raised serious concerns about Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s performance, accusing him of focusing more on personal luxury than on fixing the rising insecurity in the country.
Since taking over the Interior Ministry, Murkomen has done little to address the increasing banditry, terrorist threats, and police inaction.
His leadership has been marked by empty promises, political showmanship, and a lavish lifestyle that makes him appear detached from the suffering of ordinary Kenyans.
Insecurity has worsened in many parts of the country under Murkomen’s watch. In the North Rift, banditry has escalated, leaving communities in fear as criminals continue to terrorize innocent civilians.
Residents of Turkana, Baringo, and Samburu have experienced deadly attacks, with many people losing their lives and property. The government’s response has been slow and ineffective, and Murkomen has failed to provide any clear strategy to stop these criminal activities.
Instead of taking decisive action, he has been more focused on defending his wealth and expensive tastes, while families continue to mourn their loved ones.
The situation in the North Eastern region has also deteriorated, with Al-Shabaab militants staging frequent attacks. Police officers and innocent civilians have been killed in these attacks, yet Murkomen appears unbothered.
His ministry has failed to provide security personnel with the necessary resources to counter these threats, leading to increased lawlessness in areas such as Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa.
The recent abduction of five chiefs by suspected militants further exposed the weaknesses of Murkomen’s leadership. The fact that government officials can be kidnapped so easily and taken across the border into Somalia shows that security agencies are not in control.
Murkomen’s failure is also evident in the growing police brutality cases and suppression of press freedom.
Journalists covering riots in Nairobi have been beaten by police officers, yet Murkomen has remained silent on the matter. His failure to act against rogue officers suggests that he does not care about upholding the rule of law.
The police force, which falls under his ministry, has been accused of inaction when dealing with real criminals but is quick to use excessive force against protesters and innocent civilians.
This selective application of the law only shows the incompetence of his leadership. While Kenyans struggle with insecurity, Murkomen has been busy showing off his wealth. He openly admitted to owning expensive watches, shoes, belts, and suits, making it clear that his priorities are misplaced.
At a time when citizens expect solutions to their security problems, he seems more interested in flaunting his lifestyle than offering real leadership. His proposal for a lifestyle audit law appears hypocritical, considering his own unexplained wealth.
Many see it as an attempt to divert attention from his own extravagant spending rather than a genuine effort to fight corruption.
Murkomen’s decision to arm police reservists as a solution to banditry is yet another sign of his lack of proper planning. Instead of coming up with long-term strategies to deal with insecurity, he is rushing to implement measures that may not solve the problem. His inability to provide clear leadership in the Interior Ministry has left the country exposed to criminals, terrorists, and rogue police officers.
The Standard’s criticism of his performance is justified, as he has failed in almost every aspect of his job. If insecurity continues to rise under his watch, Kenyans will have no choice but to demand his removal from office.
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