Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has sharply criticised the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen for his handling of the security situation in the country, particularly in relation to the rising insecurity.

Taking to his official X account on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Cherargei expressed concerns that Murkomen’s tenure has seen an alarming escalation of violence, with machete-wielding gangs, terrorist attacks, and rampant insecurity spreading across the country.

Cherargei pointed out that under Murkomen’s watch, internal security had significantly deteriorated, leading to an increase in violent incidents.

“What I saw two years ago about CS Murkoman’s incompetence can now be seen! At least incompetence in roads meant that it can be fixed later, but incompetence in internal security means lives are lost that cannot be recovered!” CS Murkomen stated.

Cherargei underscored the worsening situation, citing the recent intervention of Head of Public Service (HOPS) Joseph Koskey, who had to personally confront bandits in the North Rift over the weekend.

“No wonder HOPS Koskey had to go and confront bandits in the North Rift over the weekend, he added.

He also pointed out that during the tenure of the former interior minister, Kithure Kindiki, there was more control over the security situation, with significant efforts made to contain violence. However, under Murkomen’s leadership, these security concerns have spiralled out of control.

The vocal senator added that insecurity has spread to areas that were previously considered relatively safe, including towns like Kapsabet, where a recent murder took place just 200 metres from the Kapsabet County Police Headquarters, further emphasising the growing insecurity.

“During Kindiki’s tenure there was a lot of containment of insecurity in the country, but during Murkomen’s tenure now machete gangs are marauding, terrorist attacks from Turkana and North Eastern Kenya are happening, and our villages are now insecure, including my Kapsabet Town where a person was killed less than 200 metres from Kapsabet County police headquarters,” he added.

Insecurities

The criticism came amid escalating insecurity in several parts of the country.

On March 23, 2025, Al Shabaab militants overran a National Police Reserve camp in Fafi, Garissa County, and killed six members.

The dawn attack at Biyamadhow also left four others with serious injuries, according to National Police Service spokesperson, Muchiri Nyaga.

“The suspected militia used assorted weapons to overrun the camp. Six fatalities have been confirmed, with four injured and in hospital. Multi-agency security operatives, led by the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit detectives, are investigating the incident,” Muchiri said.

On February 3, 2025, five chiefs were ambushed and kidnapped by suspected terrorists in Elwak, Mandera County, as they were going to plan coverage of President William Ruto’s visit to the area.

CS Murkomen said on Thursday, February 27, 2025, that only two bodies have been recovered in an ongoing joint search operation in Todonyang, where more than 20 Kenyans were reported missing following the attacks at the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

“More than 20 individuals remain unaccounted for, and the government has mobilised resources, including diplomatic channels, to address the crisis and ensure the safe return of missing persons,” the CS said.