Murkomen, Governor Dhadho Godhana clash in Tana River

A collage of Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Tana River Governor Dhadho Godana during a meeting on October 11, 2025./HANDOUT

Interior Affairs and Coordination of the National Government Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen clashed with Tana River Governor Dhadho Godana during a meeting in the county on Saturday.

This is after Governor Godana accused the national government of dividing the expansive Tana River County along clan and regional lines while allegedly failing to implement national projects in the region.

Speaking on Saturday in Oda, Garsen, during the homecoming ceremony of National Police Service Commission (NPSC) Chairman Dr. Amani Yuda Komora, the Governor accused the state of neglecting some parties of the county.

Dhadho claimed that some of the stalled projects pledged by the national government had been left in the hands of development partners alone.  

“The national government has abandoned us. Because the Prime Cabinet Secretary (Musalia Mudavadi) is here, I want to address him. Please, when you leave here, go back and help us in convincing the national government to change its perception,” he said.

The county boss added, “We want to thank you for Amani Komora. However, the national government is dividing Tana River County; it has divided us between the Tana Delta and the North. The government is only listening to the Delta region. Everything here is about Tana Delta and not Tana River County.”

Godana claimed that all appointees and leaders are from the Tana Delta stating that his predecessor Hussein Dado, is from Delta, PS Dokota is from Delta and so is Amani, just like Senator Danson Mungatana.

However, when he stood to speak, Murkomen gave the county chief a tongue-lashing, telling Dhadho to remember that he is the governor of a county.

“I don’t want to be coming to Tana River all the time to shout at you. You ate my friend and we have spoken. You are also a governor and its like you have forgotten that. Every time national government officers include the Prescient come here, your is to complain national government has not done this, not done that. Why can’t you tell us what you have done at your level?” the CS said.

He said that Governor Godana has failed to use the goodwill of the Broad-based government to lobby for development projects for his people, unlike other ODM governors such as Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay or Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir of Mombasa.

“You can’t be complaining perennially that your county is lagging behind? What have you done at your level before you accuse others? The reason why some areas of Kenya are underdeveloped is the lack of leadership. If you shout at the Prime CS like that without showing any respect, what will he think about your leadership style?” the CS said.

He added, “We are in a broad-based government. Honourable Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is your party leader, sits with the President to plan development matters. I see Governors Wanga, Khalif, Governor of Mombasa, meeting the President to plan development issues but when we see you, all we get is noise.”

During the event, Mudavadi did not respond to the governor's remarks directly but appealed to residents and leaders of Tana River to protect peace and harmony in their communities because lasting peace i not only the foundation of security but also a magnet for investment and development.