Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) designate Secretary General John Methu has launched a scathing attack on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing him of presiding over rising political violence following the chaotic Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

Speaking in an interview with a local TV station on Sunday, July 19, 2026, Methu blamed Murkomen for what he termed the normalisation of political violence under the current Interior Ministry.

“The person I think is the mastermind of this goon culture is Kipchumba Murkomen. His name must change; he cannot be called CS Interior; he is CS for goons. Much as Kindiki is a useless leader, in his days when he was CS Interior, we were not seeing this kind of open goonism,” Methu said.

DCI launches investigations

Methu’s sentiments came hours after the DCI announced that it had commenced investigations into the violence, including allegations involving armed and hooded individuals who disrupted polling activities.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has confirmed that detectives are pursuing all leads to establish those responsible for the violence and the armed men seen during the by-election.

Detectives said they would rely on forensic examination of evidence, digital material, witness statements and other investigative processes to identify and prosecute those responsible.

Interior CS Murkomen also confirmed that an investigation file had been opened and urged members of the public with information or evidence to record statements with investigators to aid the probe.

Political pressure mounts

The violence during the Ol Kalou by-elections has intensified political criticism of the government’s handling of security during elections, with opposition leaders demanding accountability over the deployment of armed individuals during the poll.

The mini-poll, which was won by DCP candidate Sammy Ngotho, was overshadowed by violent scenes in several parts of the constituency, where armed and hooded individuals were captured in widely circulated videos disrupting the voting process.

The violence sparked national concern, with reports indicating that two people died during the unrest, with allegations from sections of leaders and residents claiming they were shot by individuals believed to be police officers.