Murkomen admits police get threatened by goons
By David Nthua, December 3, 2025Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said police officers oftenly find themselves helpless when facing organised goons.
Murkomen spoke to a local TV station on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, where he said the government does not condone goonism.
In his message, he warned that the situation on the ground has shifted in worrying ways.
Growing threat against officers
The growing threat against officers, he said, has reached a point where gangs now intimidate police during enforcement operations.
“These gangs have grown to certain numbers that becomes a threat even to police officers providing law enforcement,” Murkomen said.
He added that some officers feel overwhelmed in certain hotspots.
He noted that there are moments when officers are simply outnumbered and unable to respond firmly.
Murkomen added that, occasionally, bad elements in the service sabotage operations by working with criminals.
“There are instances that police officers are helpless. However, there are also cases where the police are compromised to do the wrong thing,” he told the station.
He stated that the new report highlighted several loopholes making it easy for criminal groups to thrive.
Misuse of boda bodas flagged
Misuse of boda bodas flagged was one of the main findings in the document, and he said the wording reflects the seriousness of the matter.
“In the report, we have singled out misuse of the boda boda sector in terms of committing crimes, including gangs,” Murkomen stated.
This, Murkomen said noting that some operators are used for surveillance and quick getaways.
He explained that the ministry will work with the Ministry of Transport and NTSA to introduce strict registration and proper attire for operators.
“What we have proposed is to work together with the Ministry of Transport and NTSA to make sure that they are officially kitted,” he said.
He added that all boda boda operators must join cooperatives to improve accountability and minimise infiltration by criminals.
Murkomen said drugs and alcohol are worsening the situation, pushing some youths into violent groups.
“We think that the threat that is posed by drugs and alcohol is almost at the level of the threat that is caused by terrorism,” he warned.