By Anderson Ojwang
In one of the strongest and a bold move, a precedent-setting, the Cabinet Secretary, Internal Security and National Administration, Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen, is ready to swallow the bullet to reign on the escalating political violence in the country.
Murkomen has stated that he is ready to risk losing the presidential votes to protect the youth from politicians’ misuse and abuse for their own selfish gain.
Murkomen in one of the strongest-worded speeches declared that the government will not be blackmailed and intimidated by politicians who are out to use youths to cause political mayhem against their competitors in public gatherings and funerals.
He said nobody was untouchable and that the future of the youths must be safeguarded from the political class who intoxicate them with drugs and alcohol to create violence in public gatherings.
Murkomen said the government cannot compromise on security over political votes to President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwana government.
“There are elected officials and leaders who are hiding behind political actions by mobilizing young people giving them alcohol and asking them to come heckle their competitors.
In meetings and dragging them to do so on their behalf, We are coming for you, when we say we are coming for you. We mean not. You saw what happened in Kakamega the other day. Where politicians come to the funeral of a person they don’t call anything. They do not even know. They have absolutely no relationship. Family that is mourning. Because of your competition, you are asking where is the biggest funeral around, who has died somewhere.
You start organizing young people giving them drugs, give them drugs, you bring them to a funeral that you were not invited in the first place. Arriving there to cause mayhem and fights.
You saw how they were they were really fighting. It was so unfortunate. Before a family that was mourning there person.
You see they have recorded statements. The Governor of Kakamega will record a statement. You saw the former cabinet secretary recording a statement. Every body will be held into account.
We cannot continue to allow any person in this country because of their position to use young people to destroy their future.
If that is how to protect politics. Let the politics stay. We will not compromise any person and this kind of behaviour because you will bring votes to the President and the government. Stay with your votes but you will rot in jail. We must make sure you take responsibility that you must take,” he said,
Police in Kakamega have summoned Governor Fernandes Barasa, former CS Rashid Echesa and MP Peter Nabulindo after the chaos was witnessed at a burial in Matungo.
Similarly, the family of the deceased retired chief Gerald Odongo has subsequently been slapped with a bill of Sh 1.5 million for the damages following the violence that rocked the burial.
The three were expected to appear at the Kakamega Police headquarters on Tuesday for investigations on events that led to a politically instigated unrest.
Western Region Police Commander Kiprono Langat said the leaders were expected to present themselves for grilling at different times.
Political factions clashed at the funeral, leading to the injury of more than 100 and destruction of property.
The late Chief Odongo family appealed to the government to investigate the events that led to his hurried burial amidst what the family says was politically-induced chaos.
Recently, Permanent Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo was enraged after a section of youths allied to some politicians in Ndhiwa Constituency were engaged in a running battle at a function he was expected to preside over.
Omollo warned that the government will not condone any person creating political violence in the country.
He cautioned against political intolerance and violence witnessed in some parts of Homa Bay County in the recent past saying the government will take action against the perpetrators.
When he recently spoke at Sasi primary school, Omollo warned against political intolerance, asking leaders to focus on service delivery.
“We will not condone any leadership that entertains violence. We are a democracy, everybody has a right to speak and ask for support without any coercion or intimidation,” said the Interior PS.
He further argued that the ministry will not encourage violence and will take action against any leader who is found perpetrating political violence in the region.
He urged youths in Homa Bay not to allow politicians to use them to cause violence in gatherings.
Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, and Kakamega counties have in the recent past witnessed escalating incidences of political violence in the country.
