By John Mutiso
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has threatened to dismiss any police officer found working with goons to disrupt peace and stability in the country.
Speaking in Kasipul Constituency in Homabay County on Wednesday, November 26, ahead of Thursday’s by-elections, Murkomen, while responding to questions over the withdrawal of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya’s security team, expressed concerns that several officers had been actively taking sides in political activities contrary to the law.
The CS admitted that Natembeya’s security had indeed been withdrawn by the State over allegations of involvement in political campaigns and violent skirmishes.
Murkomen warned that the government would take stern action against any police officers found coordinating with lawbreakers across the country.
“There have been cases where police officers attached to VIPs have misused their firearms. Therefore, any security measure taken by the National Police Service is aimed at preventing a crisis. If a police officer attached to a VIP is working with goons, the first thing is to take them away before even we deal with the said goons,” Murkomen explained.
The CS emphasized that police officers remain servants of the National Police Service regardless of their assignment to VIPs and should not be drawn into the personal agendas of those they protect.
“Another thing, if an officer is attached to a VIP, it doesn’t make them part and parcel of the VIP’s ideologies, campaigns or criminal plans. You need to know that at any one time, you remain an officer of the National Police Service,” he stated.
Murkomen revealed that the withdrawal was specifically connected to intelligence about planned violent activities and allegations that some officers had been collaborating with criminal gangs.
“So, if there are people who have been withdrawn, it must be in relation to planned violence and the fact that some of these officers have been found to be working with goons,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary warned that the affected officers face serious consequences beyond mere withdrawal from their assignments.
“It’s not enough that they have been withdrawn; disciplinary action will be taken against them, and if the charges are proven, they will be relieved of their responsibilities, lose their jobs,” Murkomen added.
The security detail assigned to guard Governor Natembeya’s residence and accompany him during his movements was recalled early Wednesday morning.
Responding to the development, Natembeya has characterized the action as politically driven intimidation from the highest levels of government.
The governor told local media that he holds the President responsible for the decision, which he claims was made without any explanation provided to him.
“I personally blame the President for this because this is a decision made at a very high level, and I know it’s a plan to intimidate me. I have not received any explanation to this effect, and I find it very irresponsible of the government to take away my security,” he said.
The governor argued that the action contravenes specific provisions of the National Police Service Act.
“This action violates the National Police Service Act, Sections 30 and 31, which obligate the Inspector-General to provide security to State officers whose roles and public engagements expose them to heightened risk,” he stated.
Natembeya noted the absence of due process in the decision.
“There is no court order, no disciplinary communication, and no official explanation for this decision. It not only endangers my safety but also interferes with the smooth execution of county duties,” he said.
He called on the National Police Service to reverse the decision.
“I call upon the National Police Service to immediately reinstate my security and adhere to the constitutional standards of fairness, professionalism, and respect for the law,” Natembeya added.
