Cherargei warns of growing insecurity under Murkomen’s watch
Nandi Senator Samson Kiprotich Arap Cherargei has launched a scathing attack on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing him of overseeing a regime plagued by incompetence and arrogance that is now putting Kenyan lives at risk.
In a strongly worded post on Sunday, May 4, 2025, the outspoken lawmaker lamented what he described as a dangerous descent into chaos and insecurity, citing Murkomen’s leadership style as ineffective and negligent.
According to Cherargei, the country is now witnessing the dire consequences of poor leadership in the critical docket of interior and infrastructure, with incidents increasingly turning deadly.
“The Murkomen incompetence, arrogance and kiburi I saw years ago are now being seen by everyone. Unfortunately, incompetence is now costing lives which can’t be recovered,” wrote the senator on X.
His comments appeared to draw a sharp contrast between Murkomen and his predecessor in the homeland security portfolio, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, whom he lauded for maintaining a top-notch security environment during his tenure.
The senator then concluded with the proverb “when it rains, it pours”, hinting at a cascading breakdown of security and leadership, where one failure is quickly followed by many others, each more damaging than the last
“When it rains, it pours,” he added at the close of his post.
The senator also attached photos of posts by other leaders who had similarly voiced their growing frustration with Murkomen’s style of leadership at the all-important security docket.
He began with one from Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who had also pulled no punches as he tore into the CS for what he saw as a glaring inability to lead — an incompetence which, just as Cherargei had claimed, was now tragically costing Kenyan lives.
Khalwale had even gone as far as demanding Murkomen’s resignation, arguing that if he could not shield Kenyans from being mercilessly killed and butchered in rampant banditry attacks, then he had no business clinging to the title of Cabinet Secretary and should, without hesitation, drop his tools of office and bow out.
“Murkomen, listen to me and listen well. If you can’t stop Kenyans from being butchered like chickens in their homes, then resign. Step aside for someone who has a spine,” Khalwale had declared in the post shared by Cherargei.
Banditry menace
Cheragei’s remarks come just a day after Murkomen on Saturday, May 3, 2025, disclosed that 21 people had been killed since January 2025 over banditry-related cases.
In a lengthy statement, Murkomen indicated that out of the 21, eight were civilians and one was a police officer. The 12 were suspects, Murkomen elaborated.
Quoting a report from his ministry, Murkomen detailed that the country had recorded a significant decrease in banditry, revealing that 58 people were killed in a similar period in 2024.
He added that cases of stock theft also reduced from 263 to 167 between January and March 2025.
“Our first quarter security report covering January-March 2025 indicated a significant decrease in cases of banditry and stock theft.”
“The period between January and March recorded 167 cases of stock theft compared to 263 in the same period last year. During the period under review, a total of 4,935 livestock were stolen compared to 8,557 in the same period in 2024.”
“Unfortunately, as a result of these criminal acts, 21 persons (1 police officer, 8 civilians, and 12 suspects) were killed in the first quarter of the year 2025, compared to 58 persons who unfortunately died in the same period in 2024,” Murkomen’s statement read in part.
He attributed the decline in banditry-related cases to concerted efforts between security officers and the national police reservists.
Challenges
Despite the progress made in eliminating banditry in the country, Murkomen indicated the challenges continue to crop up, including the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons and commercialisation of banditry through readily available markets for stolen livestock.
Murkomen also cited political interference and incitement, and competition for water and pasture during periods of drought. Fights over communal land boundaries and poor road infrastructure in areas connecting hideouts for bandits were also listed among challenges dogging the battle against banditry.
“The government is working hard to set aside resources for infrastructure development, including schools, and to provide our security officers with better equipment and resources to tackle these challenges.
“I urge Kenyans to collaborate with our security officers as we strive to secure our country. Let us shun all acts of political incitement and revenge. I urge political leaders to stop playing politics with such important national security concerns,” he added.
