The Democracy for Citizens’ Party leader, Rigathi Gachagua, has come out guns blazing to condemn Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, even as Kenya marks the June 25 Gen Z anniversary.

Through a lengthy and hard-hitting post on X, Gachagua, without mincing words, stated that Murkomen is one of the most clueless Interior Cabinet Secretaries Kenya has ever had.

His remarks came hours after Murkomen held a press briefing on Wednesday, June 24, warning that intelligence reports indicated some political actors were planning to infiltrate the June 25 protests with goons, gangs, and criminals to attack businesses and innocent civilians.

Gachagua’s response

Responding to Murkomen’s statement, Gachagua questioned why the Interior CS was publicly warning Kenyans about alleged plans by goons instead of stopping them if the government already had intelligence.

Gachagua said Murkomen had admitted being aware of the alleged plans but had failed to explain what action had been taken to prevent them.

He argued that the first duty of the police is to deter crime, asking whether the CS lacked the capacity or willingness to stop those allegedly planning violence.

He further questioned why Murkomen had not ordered the arrest of the alleged goons if security agencies already knew who they were.

Gachagua also took issue with Murkomen’s claims that opposition politicians were mobilising criminals, saying that if authorities had such information, they should immediately arrest those responsible instead of issuing public warnings.

The former Deputy President also claimed, without providing evidence, that the real perpetrators of violence would not be arrested because they were allegedly organised by the government.

He further alleged that police had instructions to allow goons to cause destruction before later arresting innocent people and opposition leaders.

“Unfortunately and sadly so, the real goons will not be arrested because they are organised by the government.

“The police have clear instructions to allow goons to wreak havoc and only intervene later by arresting innocent people. Leaders in the opposition will be arrested later for allegedly financing the attacks,” the DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua wrote on X.

Gachagua went on to claim that any attacks on leaders allied to the government could be stage-managed and later blamed on the opposition, describing it as a predetermined script.

He maintained that if Murkomen genuinely knew of planned attacks, then the government had both the responsibility and capacity to stop them before they occurred.

In his statement, Gachagua also accused Murkomen of interfering with the independence of the National Police Service by commenting on operational matters, arguing that police operations fall under the Inspector General, while the Cabinet Secretary should only provide policy direction.

“And in any case, the National Police Service is supposed to be independent. The Minister should comment on policy. IG is in charge of operations. Why is Mr Murkomen discussing police operations?

“He has taken over the National Police Service and created a parallel command. He has introduced goonism in the police service. He has forced police commanders to work with goons!” Gachagua wrote on X.

He concluded by urging Murkomen to focus on protecting Kenyans and preventing any violence rather than issuing warnings after the fact.

Murkomen’s warning

During Wednesday’s press briefing, Murkomen said Thursday, June 25, would remain a normal working and school day despite planned demonstrations.

He said the government respects every Kenyan’s constitutional right to peacefully assemble, demonstrate and present petitions as guaranteed under Article 37 of the Constitution.

Murkomen said police had received formal notification of the planned demonstrations and would provide security to peaceful protesters.

“Tomorrow is a normal working and school day. However, the police received a notification from some citizens who would like to engage in a public demonstration,” read the statement in part.

However, he warned that security agencies had received intelligence indicating that some political actors intended to use the protests to mobilise goons, gangs, and criminals armed with crude weapons to attack businesses and innocent civilians.

He said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations had already launched investigations into individuals suspected of sponsoring or mobilising violent groups and warned that anyone found culpable would face the full force of the law.

Murkomen added that police had been instructed to protect peaceful protesters, businesses and members of the public while dealing decisively with anyone engaging in looting, destruction of property, or other criminal acts.

He also advised peaceful demonstrators to distance themselves from criminals if they encountered them during the protests to enable police to enforce the law effectively.

Government position

The Interior CS also dismissed claims that the government works with criminal gangs.

Murkomen said the government does not condone or collaborate with goons and insisted police had been directed to deal firmly with all criminals without fear or favour.

He further criticised leaders, including some from the religious community, whom he accused of making statements suggesting the government sponsors criminal groups.

Murkomen urged Kenyans to cooperate with law enforcement officers and help maintain peace, order and constitutional values during the June 25 demonstrations.

The exchange between Gachagua and Murkomen highlights the sharply differing narratives surrounding the June 25 protests, with the opposition questioning the government’s handling of security while the government insists it is committed to protecting peaceful demonstrators and preventing criminal elements from exploiting the protests.