Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen at DCI headquarters on July 23 /HANDOUT
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja against criticism from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, insisting Kenya is experiencing its safest period.
He said the IG continues to enjoy public confidence and has effectively discharged his constitutional mandate.
"There is no pending impeachment against you. It means, as the Inspector General, you have the trust of the people of Kenya," Murkomen told Kanja during the handover of the National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Certificate to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations' Forensic Evidence Management Unit (FEMU) and the launch of the Multi-Biometric Identification System (MBIS-ABIS Version) at DCI headquarters.
The CS attributed the country's improved security to investments made by President William Ruto's administration in policing, intelligence and security infrastructure.
While speaking during a TV interview Wednesday night, Gachagua hit out at Kanja claiming he is being kept in office deliberately so blame can shift to him whenever things go wrong.
"Kenya is safer and more secure than ever before. There has never been a period with fewer incidents of terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities than now. The statistics speak for themselves," Murkomen said.
He said the government had demonstrated its resolve in tackling insecurity, noting that more than 3,000 suspects were arrested during violent protests witnessed in 2025.
Murkomen dismissed allegations by Gachagua that women were sexually assaulted during the recent Ol Kalou by-election, urging anyone with credible evidence to formally report the cases to enable investigations.
The CS challenged medical practitioners who allegedly treated the victims to record statements with police to facilitate investigations and possible prosecution.
He also urged media houses to verify claims before publishing or broadcasting allegations that could undermine public confidence or inflame tensions.
Murkomen welcomed what he described as a shift in position by religious leaders on criminal gangs, saying they had joined calls for firm action against goons.
"I'm happy that the bishops have changed their position and now want goons to be dealt with. We now have a national consensus that this issue must be dealt with," he said.
He directed the National Police Service to intensify operations against criminal gangs, assuring officers of the government's full support.
"Police, you know your job and you have our support. Deal with these goons. It is your duty to make our country safe," he said.
The CS also criticised remarks by Gachagua describing some leaders from the Mt Kenya region as "traitors", warning that such rhetoric could encourage ethnic profiling and deepen political divisions.
He called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to take firm action against utterances likely to incite hatred or undermine national cohesion.
"I want to ask NCIC to take its mandate very seriously," Murkomen said, adding that any unlawful groups formed along ethnic or political lines would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
