Murkomen: Ruto’s comments on death penalty show Kenya’s firm stance
By Faith Lagat, January 13, 2026Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended President William Ruto’s strong statements on imposing the death penalty for hard drug traffickers, describing them as a signal of Kenya’s determination to tackle a growing national crisis.
In an interview on January 12, 2026, Murkomen clarified that the President’s comments were not a literal call for executions but a figurative expression of the nation’s readiness to protect its youth from alcohol and hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
“The president wanted to give an expression of the extreme we are willing to go as a nation,” Murkomen explained.
He highlighted the human cost behind the tough stance:
“The death penalty has been declared unconstitutional. But the President was figuratively speaking, edged by the challenges that we have. Young people are dying because of alcohol addiction and abuse of hard drugs such as cocaine. These are people we know our neighbours, our friends,” he stated.
Frustration driving policy
Murkomen said Ruto’s January 3, 2025, warning during a pre-wedding event in Moiben Constituency reflected frustration over the scale of destruction caused by drugs, illicit brews, and unregulated gambling.
The president stated that Kenya could no longer allow these vices to ruin lives, homes, and communities and proposed legal reforms, including asset seizures and harsher penalties.
Murkomen elaborated on the government’s practical approach instead of pursuing unconstitutional executions. “He wanted to give an expression of the extreme we are willing to go as a nation to deal with this problem,” he said.
“When we sat down with the President, he was okay with us enhancing the number of drugs that attract life sentences.” He warned of emerging threats: “Some of the drugs that were not incorporated before are manufactured substances that are being consumed by young people and are destructive to their lives,” he added.
Government action and enforcement
The CS highlighted Ruto’s warning to traffickers:
“Mtu anauza heroine na cocaine wajipange,” and urged lawmakers to act: “Wabunge wetu wajipange pia kwa sababu tunaleta sheria. Watoto wengi wamepotea. We cannot continue on that.”
Murkomen said the government’s 2026 strategy includes strengthening the Anti-Narcotics Unit, multi-agency operations, and expanding rehabilitation centres.
He framed the fight as essential for national progress, cautioning that addiction threatens Kenya’s most productive generation and blocks ambitions for first-world status.