Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen in Bomet on July 18, 2026/OKM
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has challenged former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to present to the police the names of women he claims were raped during the Ol Kalou by-election, warning against using unverified allegations for political mileage.
Murkomen said any claims of sexual violence must be formally reported to enable investigations and prosecution of those responsible.
The CS was responding to Gachagua's claim that 68 women were raped during the by-election and that the alleged perpetrators were police officers.
"I heard Mr Rigathi Gachagua saying he is on record of 68 women who were raped, and he says that they were raped by police officers," Murkomen said.
"I want to dare Mr Gachagua, if you are truly a father who has children...you cannot play politics with the 68 lives of women..."
Speaking at Tenwek High School in Bomet County during the school's prize-giving and speech day, Murkomen said if the allegations were genuine, Gachagua should ensure the alleged victims report the matter at the nearest police station so that investigations can begin.
"If it is true that 68 women were raped, please take those names to the nearest police station. Let that be reported. We would like those people to be arrested. We are not going to condone any person being violated, let alone our women being violated through gender-based violence and rape," he said.
The Interior CS said it was irresponsible for leaders to make serious allegations in public without reporting them to law enforcement agencies.
"Sio vizuri kwa mwanasiasa akitafuta kura kidogo kusema mambo ambayo yanaweza kudhuru taifa letu, kusema wamama 68 walikuwa raped na hajaenda police station kureport. Hiyo ni uchungu sana na ni aibu kubwa sana," he said.
Murkomen assured the public that anyone found culpable of committing such offences would face the full force of the law.
"If he's truly genuine, apeleke majina, awapeleke warecord statement. We will make sure that the courts take the severest punishment for any person who has committed the offence," he said.
"But if he (Gachagua) is playing cheap politics, then I must tell Mr Gachagua, even in your purported victory, you are a terrible loser. Even in that purported winning, you have lost by using fictitious names of 68 raped women to make a political statement," Murkomen said.
"...if they are real women, he must present them so they can record statements and those who perpetrated those acts be taken to court."
Murkomen urged political leaders to exercise restraint in their public statements, saying elections should not be used to spread allegations that could undermine public confidence in national institutions.
"Please, let us be mindful of the things we say. This nation transcends politics. Winning one seat does not make us become reckless in the statements we make. Let us be responsible as the people of Kenya," he said.
