The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the decision to pull the police officers assigned to Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, accusing the county chief of consorting with goons and plotting violence.
Murkomen spoke in Elgeyo-Marakwet County during President William Ruto’s tour of the region. He said the government would not allow politicians to abuse their security details to facilitate chaos.
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“Political goonism must be finished,” Murkomen said. “There are politicians who are enjoying the security provided by the government. They have police officers but still plan violence.”
Without naming him at first, the CS pointed to a governor in neighbouring Trans Nzoia who, he claimed, keeps company with goons while enjoying state protection. “We will not allow any politician to use government offices and government security to plan violence,” he said.
Murkomen added that the officials in charge of the security sector would hold their ground against what he termed political violence. “We will stand firm and not be intimidated,” he said.
His remarks follow a protest by Natembeya, who has demanded a formal explanation from Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja. The governor noted that this was the second time his security detail had been withdrawn, and questioned whether the constitutional and legal procedures for altering the protection of public officials had been followed.
In a statement, Natembeya insisted that any decision touching on his personal security must comply with the Constitution and the rule of law. He cited Article 47, which guarantees the right to lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair administrative action and requires written reasons where a person’s rights are adversely affected.
He also invoked Article 238, which requires national security to be pursued in accordance with the law, democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and Article 244, which obliges the National Police Service to maintain high standards of professionalism and discipline while respecting human rights and dignity.
The dispute comes amid heightened political tension in the Rift Valley, where President Ruto has been holding a series of public rallies.
