Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has vowed to protect the National Police Service (NPS) from any attempts to divide the institution along ethnic lines, while accusing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of inciting the formation of illegal militias ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Murkomen dismissed what he termed efforts to profile Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja based on his ethnic background, insisting that the police service remains a national institution that serves all Kenyans equally.

“I will shield the National Police Service from persons who want to divide it by appealing to the Inspector General to act in the interests of a particular community. This is National Police Service, the ideal of profiling the IG based on his ethnic background, and trying or attempting to divide the police service based on ethnic loyalties. I want to tell you that that will not be condoned,” Murkomen said.

No ethnic composition in NPS

The CS said police officers are patriots serving the country and should not be subjected to ethnic or political considerations.

“We do not walk into the National Police Service and try to establish its ethnic composition. The politics of ethnic profiling that have been perpetuated outside should not be brought into the police service,” he added.

Murkomen also challenged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to remain within its mandate, warning that profiling citizens on ethnic grounds could fuel divisions.

Attacks on Gachagua on forming parallel militias

The Interior CS further launched an attack on Gachagua, accusing him of making inflammatory remarks that could encourage violence.

Murkomen was responding to remarks that he said, Gachagua made suggesting that young people would “protect their vote” and confront police officers during the election period.

According to Murkomen, such statements amount to attempts to recruit militias under the guise of protecting votes.

“What he is trying to do is recruit a militia before the elections so that we have a parallel system of militias pretending to protect the vote. The truth is that he wants to use criminals to attack people he believes are his political opponents. We will not allow that,” he said.

The CS warned that the government would deal firmly with anyone attempting to form or join such groups.

“I want to tell young people who may be recruited in that direction, do not attempt it. It will be very difficult for you to operate in Kenya as a militia pretending to be vote protectors. We will come for you, and we will come for you ruthlessly,” Murkomen warned.