Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to move with speed and immediately arrest individuals he described as goons allegedly linked to opposition leaders.
Murkomen accused sections of the opposition of hiring individuals to disrupt events and undermine public order while also attempting to link Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo to the same groups.
The CS issued the directive on Friday during the burial of Mitchelle Jelimo Kemboi, daughter of KPA boss William Ruto, held at Mangu Farm in Nakuru County.
He expressed concern over what he termed a growing culture of intimidation targeting government officials, including PS Omollo, which he said was aimed at hindering effective service delivery.
According to Murkomen, intelligence reports had established that some opposition leaders were routinely moving with groups of hired goons to manage their events and disrupt law and order.
As a result, the visibly angered CS ordered immediate action, saying arrests would serve as a deterrent and demonstrate the government’s commitment to ending the trend.
“I saw some of the opposition leaders linking my PS to goons. I want to dare them to come out and denounce the goons they are walking and working with. I want to ask the Inspector General to move with speed and arrest all those boys they work with so that they can become an example,” Murkomen said.
“Some of the leading people in recruiting goons are sitting in the opposition despite coming to pontificate to the public. That is why they are shifting the blame to the public. We will do our jobs without fear or favour and make sure that we get rid of goons from this country,” he added.
Murkomen was responding to a recent incident in which Vihiga Senator Geoffrey Osotsi was attacked at a coffee house in Kisumu, leaving him with serious injuries.
The senator was later airlifted to a Nairobi hospital, where he remains admitted, as leaders across the political divide condemned the attack captured on CCTV footage.
In a related development, a Kisumu court ordered suspects linked to the attack to remain in custody at Kisumu Central Police Station for seven days to allow for further investigations.
Resident Magistrate Daniel Chumba also directed that a forensic audit of the CCTV footage be conducted as investigators finalise the case.
The prosecution has recommended charges of robbery with violence, even as defence lawyers argued that the suspects’ rights had been infringed during the arrest process.
Interior PS Raymond Omollo, who had been linked to the claims, condemned the attack on Osotsi, stating that those found culpable would face the full force of the law.
“For sure, what happened to Osotsi was unfortunate. Any leader who uses goons must be held accountable and face the full force of the law,” Omollo said.
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