Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has raised concerns over a surge in political violence, warning that it risks undermining the country’s recent security gains.

Taking to his official X account on Sunday, April 12, 2026, after attending an interdenominational church service and fundraiser in Sirwa, Nandi Hills, Murkomen said Kenya had made significant progress in tackling major security threats, including terrorism, banditry, organised crime, and drug trafficking.

“We have made significant gains in securing our country by curbing terrorism, banditry, organised crime, and drug trafficking,” Murkomen said.

Security gains under threat

However, he cautioned that the progress is now being threatened by what he described as a worrying rise in politically instigated violence.

“But this progress is threatened by a troubling rise in political violence and goonism instigated by leaders across the political divide,” he added.

Call for accountability

The Interior CS emphasised that the government is stepping up efforts to hold perpetrators accountable, including those who sponsor or enable violent acts.

“As we intensify efforts to hold perpetrators and their enablers accountable, I call on all leaders to firmly distance themselves from these destructive tendencies and commit to issue-based, responsible politics,” Murkomen stated.

His remarks come amid growing concerns about clashes, disruptions to political events, and rising tensions across the country.

Murkomen urged political leaders to tone down rhetoric and avoid actions that could incite violence, warning that such behaviour poses a serious risk to national stability.

Opposition attacked in Kikuyu

His remarks come a day after opposition leaders claimed an assassination attempt after their convoy was on Saturday, April 11, 2026, attacked by police officers at the Gitaru–Kikuyu Interchange while en route to a political rally in Kikuyu.

The convoy was carrying Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, and Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) Party leader Eugene Wamalwa at the time of the incident.

According to a statement issued by Kalonzo’s head of communications, Paloma Gatabaki, on the night of Saturday, April 11, 2026, the convoy was intercepted by armed police officers in official vehicles just before entering Kikuyu town.

She claimed officers opened fire using live ammunition and deployed teargas and rubber bullets in what she described as a “deliberate and sustained” attack.

“The convoy carrying Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, and Eugene Wamalwa was travelling to Kikuyu when it was intercepted by armed police officers in official police vehicles at the Gitaru-Kikuyu Interchange, just before entering Kikuyu town,” Gatabaki stated.

“The officers opened fire with live ammunition and deployed teargas and rubber bullets against the convoy in broad daylight.”

The confrontation reportedly forced the convoy to split into two groups. One group continued towards Kikuyu town, while the other was diverted toward Mai Mahiu.