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Murkomen, Gachagua trade fresh barbs as political feud escalates
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen (left) and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
What you need to know:
- Interior CS Murkomen claimed that the former DP was attempting to run a campaign of political intimidation.
- Mr Gachagua, who was meeting a delegation at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri, dared Mr Murkomen to a duel.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday traded barbs as the political conflict between the duo, who once worked together under President William Ruto, escalated.
Speaking during a weekend rally at Kaptarakwa Primary School in Keiyo South, CS Murkomen issued a stern warning to political disruptors, directly taking aim at Mr Gachagua, whom he accused of leading a camp actively trying to sabotage the security sector.
Mr Murkomen said the former DP's actions and utterances were a threat to national security and unity.
"Those launching sustained, negative attacks on the Interior Ministry—including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua—are exhibiting a lack of statesmanship. They are driven purely by selfish, parochial desires," a defiant Mr Murkomen said.
The CS put politicians who fund violence during rallies on notice, directing the Inspector General of Police to act firmly and without fear or favour.
He claimed that the former DP was attempting to run a campaign of political intimidation, declaring that the era of regional balkanisation was officially over.
"I want to tell Gachagua and his surrogates very clearly: You will not intimidate me, nor will you intimidate this government. We have the full mandate and the machinery required to deal with security threats by all lawful means," the CS warned.
He added that no politician has the right to create "no-go zones" in Kenya.
"Every leader has a right to sell their agenda in any corner of this republic. Kenya belongs to all of us, and we will not allow anyone to zone this country based on tribal or political cocoons."
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The CS was speaking just hours after Mr Gachagua, who was meeting a delegation from Githunguri Constituency at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri, dared Mr Murkomen to a duel, saying he was not afraid of him.
"Threatening me with police cells is nonsense. Police cells are for men and women. Police cells are like hotels nowadays. They have electricity, security and food. I grew up in a grass-thatched house where I slept together with goats. This is a community you cannot threaten or intimidate, not even through violence. I have been in police cells defending Ruto. Now I'm defending my people, my blood. I'm more solid than I was in 2022," Mr Gachagua said.
This is not the first time the duo have clashed in the recent past.
Supporting goons
Last week, Mr Murkomen took on the former DP, accusing him of supporting goons.
"The goon number one in Kenya is Rigathi Gachagua. I will separate Gachagua, who is a bad apple, from the good people of Kenya. I'm on his case daily until Kenya crosses over to 2027 peacefully. His only remaining currency is violence," said Mr Murkomen.
Meanwhile, North Rift leaders on Saturday urged Mr Murkomen to replicate the ruthless efficiency used to tame cattle rustling in the North Rift to dismantle emerging political goon networks across the country ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during a women empowerment function at Kaptilol Primary School in Kaptarakwa, Elgeyo Marakwet County on July 04, 2026.
The leaders lauded the CS for restoring relative peace in the historically volatile region, demanding that the same approach be deployed nationally against political goons.
Led by Keiyo South MP Gideon Kimaiyo, the lawmakers expressed fears that unchecked political goons could plunge the country into electoral chaos if left unchecked.
"The milestones achieved in neutralising bandits in the North Rift are clear for everyone to see. We are demanding that the Ministry of Interior apply that exact same blueprint to crush the goon culture that is fast becoming a national menace as we edge closer to 2027," said Mr Kimaiyo.
Echoing his sentiments, Elgeyo Marakwet Woman Representative Caroline Ng'elechei threw her weight behind the Interior boss, urging him to ignore political detractors and focus on national stability. She warned politicians against weaponising security matters for cheap political interests.
"We have absolute confidence in your capacity, CS. You must ignore selfish politicians who thrive on chaos and launch a merciless crackdown on these goons, regardless of whose political banner they carry," stated Ms Ng'elechei.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich challenged the ministry to treat urban and political thuggery with the same gravity as rural banditry.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen (centre), and Elgeyo Marakwet Woman Representative Caroline Ngelechei (second left) during a women empowerment function at Kaptilol Primary School in Kaptarakwa, Elgeyo Marakwet County on July 04, 2026.
"If this ministry successfully disarmed battle-hardened bandits and recovered over 10,000 illegal firearms in the North Rift, what is so difficult about dealing with a few hired political goons in towns?" the governor posed.
Away from the heated political rhetoric, Mr Murkomen issued a high-level alert to residents living in flood-prone areas and along the Kerio Valley escarpment ahead of the anticipated El Niño rains expected in October.
Recalling the tragic Chesongoch mudslides that claimed more than 60 lives, Mr Murkomen ordered local administrators, including chiefs, to immediately begin sensitisation campaigns to move vulnerable populations to safer, higher ground.
"The pain of the Chesongoch tragedy is still fresh in our minds. We cannot afford another disaster due to complacency. I am directing all chiefs and local leaders to aggressively spearhead awareness campaigns and facilitate early evacuations from low-lying areas before the rains begin," the CS ordered.
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