Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has launched a scathing attack on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over the growing insecurity in the country.
Cherargei, a vocal member of the ruling UDA party, did not hold back in his criticism, calling Murkomen incompetent and unfit to handle the crucial security docket.
His remarks came in response to the alarming rise in violent crimes, terrorist attacks, and banditry under Murkomen’s watch.
Cherargei pointed out that the situation has deteriorated so much that even the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, had to personally visit the North Rift to issue a warning to bandits.
This, according to him, was a clear sign that Murkomen had failed in his duties. The senator did not mince his words, saying that while incompetence in road infrastructure could be fixed later, incompetence in security matters was costing lives that could never be recovered.
The lawmaker contrasted Murkomen’s tenure with that of his predecessor, Kithure Kindiki, arguing that insecurity was better managed before the recent reshuffle in government.
Under Kindiki’s leadership, there was a noticeable effort to contain crime, but under Murkomen, things have spiraled out of control. Cherargei lamented that Kenya is now witnessing a surge in machete gang violence, increased terrorist attacks, and general lawlessness.
Even Kapsabet Town, his own backyard, has not been spared, with a person being killed barely 200 meters from the county police headquarters.
The senator’s frustration comes in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in Fafi, Garissa County, where suspected Al-Shabaab militants overran a national police reserve camp, killing six people and seriously injuring four others.
This attack followed another shocking incident where militants abducted three men in Mandera County. The escalating attacks paint a grim picture of the country’s security situation, raising questions about Murkomen’s capability to handle his responsibilities.
Murkomen was handed the Interior Ministry in December 2024 after Kithure Kindiki was elevated to the Deputy President position.
However, rather than strengthening security, his tenure has been marked by increasing chaos and fear among Kenyans. His critics argue that he lacks the expertise needed to run such a sensitive docket, which requires firmness, intelligence, and strategic planning.
Cherargei’s remarks reflect growing discontent within the ruling party and among ordinary citizens who are feeling the effects of rising crime. The once-booming North Rift region is now a danger zone, with bandits terrorizing locals while security agencies appear powerless.
The same trend is seen in Turkana, North Eastern Kenya, and other parts of the country, where attacks have become the norm rather than the exception.
The situation raises the question of whether President William Ruto made a mistake in appointing Murkomen to the Interior Ministry.
If his performance in the Roads Ministry was already questionable, how did he end up in charge of national security?
The growing sense of fear among Kenyans and the increasing death toll are proof that Murkomen is out of his depth. If the government does not act fast, Kenya risks sliding into a security crisis worse than anything seen in recent years.
