Murkomen Questions Linda Mwananchi Leaders' Decision to Proceed with Homa Bay Rally Amid Attack Warnings

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has raised concerns over why leaders from the Linda Mwananchi faction continued with their rallies in Homa Bay despite prior warnings of planned attacks.

The group, led by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, faced violent clashes during their August 16 tour, resulting in four deaths, multiple injuries, and damaged vehicles. Prior to the event, opposition leaders had alerted security agencies about alleged plans by local politicians to mobilise goons to disrupt their activities, claims which those accused have denied.

Murkomen Questions Rally Decision Amid Threats

Speaking on the incidents, Murkomen asked why the faction would proceed with rallies if they were aware that goons were mobilised to attack them. He urged the leaders to reconsider such plans to avoid violence.

“If you already know that someone has organised goons to attack you in Homa Bay, and the police have told you that goons have been mobilised, why would you still go there?” Murkomen questioned.

Dismissing Claims of a National Crisis

The CS dismissed assertions that Kenya is facing a national crisis due to goon-related violence, attributing the issue to political exaggeration. He accused some politicians of using goonism as a political tool, particularly linking it unfairly with the current administration.

“Politicians in this country are not more than 2,000 out of 50 million Kenyans, yet they want to make it appear as though the country is in crisis whenever they do not get what they want,” Murkomen remarked.

Call for Focus on Ideas Over Violence

Responding to criticism about his approach to the goonism issue, Murkomen said he would intervene if the threat was widespread. He suggested that some politicians, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, raise the issue for political ambitions.

The CS urged political leaders to stop framing goonism as a national crisis and instead focus on campaigning with ideas, asserting Kenya remains safe.

“There is no crisis in Kenya. The crisis is the bankruptcy of ideas among politicians who are unable to campaign, so they collect goons to fight each other and then portray it as a national crisis. Kenya is safe, and we must focus,” he said.

Following the violence in Homa Bay, police arrested 37 suspected gang members, some found in possession of crude weapons.