Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has blamed leaders of the Linda Mwananchi movement for ignoring advice from security officers to postpone their political rally in Homa Bay before violence erupted.
Speaking on Tuesday, August 25, during the launch of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission’s roadmap towards a violence-free 2027 General Election, dubbed Uchaguzi Bila Noma, Murkomen said political leaders have a responsibility to listen to security advice when there are concerns over the safety of their supporters.
His remarks placed responsibility on Linda Mwananchi leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, over their decision to proceed with the political activities despite the security concerns.
“When I told people that the best thing was to call off the rally and come another day, what is happening now in the media spaces? ‘Oh, the minister is speaking irresponsibly.’ Do you want to tell me that political leaders have no duty to tell their supporters there’s another day we will come here?” Murkomen said.
The Interior CS argued that the organisers could have postponed the rally and returned to Homa Bay at another time, instead of proceeding with an event that security officers had warned could become difficult to control.
His comments came days after violence disrupted the Linda Mwananchi political tour, leaving several people injured and resulting in deaths, destruction of property and attacks on journalists.
Vehicles were damaged and torched during the chaos, while journalists covering the political activities reported being assaulted and having equipment stolen or destroyed.
The Homa Bay violence has since triggered questions over the responsibilities of political leaders and security agencies in preventing violence during political gatherings.
While Murkomen stressed the need for politicians to heed security warnings, the conduct and preparedness of police officers deployed to the area have also come under scrutiny.
The CS apologised to journalists injured during the Homa Bay clashes and called for stronger coordination between security agencies and the media during political events.
Murkomen's remarks came as the government and NCIC intensified preparations for the 2027 General Election through the Uchaguzi Bila Noma initiative, which seeks to promote peaceful political competition and prevent election-related violence.
The Homa Bay clashes have emerged as an early warning over the potential for political tensions to escalate as Kenya approaches the 2027 polls.