Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has brushed aside renewed calls for his resignation following the brutal death of blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang’, who died while in police custody.
Addressing the Senate during a plenary session on Wednesday, Murkomen defended his tenure and rejected the criticism, saying demands for him to step down have become a political chorus he’s all too familiar with.
“Some people speak as if I am six months old in this office. Even when I was two months in the office, they said I should resign. It is a song I have heard,” he told the Senate.
Murkomen noted that some lawmakers have made his resignation a personal mantra, repeatedly calling for his exit regardless of context.
“I know of a particular senator who never even waited for two months. His national song is ‘Murkomen Must Resign.’ Mister Speaker, I am used to that song,” he added.
Senator Khalwale Demands Murkomen’s Resignation
His remarks came came in direct response to Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who issued a strong statement urging Murkomen to step down. Citing his position in the National Security Council, Khalwale accused the CS of failing in his duty to ensure public safety.
“CS Murkomen, the National Security Council where you sit is charged with promoting and guaranteeing the security of the country, and you have the audacity to come and face the Parliament of Kenya and tell Kenyans that you don’t see and you don’t know,” Khalwale charged.
He also questioned Murkomen’s moral standing to lead, urging him to resign in respect of the 31-year-old blogger’s life.
“Please, for the respect of this young man… Can you immediately resign? You are not fit to be in that docket. It is not personal. You cannot be an inspiration to be in the Cabinet,” Khalwale added.
CS Murkomen Stands Firm
Murkomen, however, stood firm, reiterating his stance against police brutality and enforced disappearances. He insisted that he remains committed to pushing for accountability within the National Police Service.
“My position has never changed. I am as strong as I was five years ago. My position on police brutality and abductions remains the same,” he said.
Acknowledging challenges within the National Police Service, Murkomen noted that Kenya has systems in place to handle misconduct, including legal frameworks and oversight bodies.
“As a CS, I know there are challenges in the National Police Service. There is enough precedent to deal with police brutality and extrajudicial killings,” he said.
He also expressed confidence in the ongoing investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which has already ruled out suicide and exposed tampering with CCTV footage at the Nairobi Central police station where Ojwang’ died.
“I have no doubt that with the speed of IPOA, the perpetrators of this act will be brought to book,” Murkomen asserted.
