Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo have warned political leaders against using goons to disrupt rallies, saying security agencies will move early to prevent violence.
Murkomen said the government had adopted an intelligence-led strategy aimed at identifying suspected political troublemakers before they reach political gatherings.
Speaking in Kabianga, Kericho County, during the third edition of the Belgut Marathon, the Interior CS urged Kenyans to avoid political meetings associated with violence and declined to attend rallies organised around hired youth.
“I want to advise the people of Kenya not to go to the meetings of leaders who are paying and walking around with goons,” Murkomen said.
He added: “Kama kuna viongozi kama wenye tumewaona tayari, wale wakipanga mikutano wanapanga tu na wauni, I want to advise the people of Kenya that you don’t have to go for those rallies. It is not a must to attend those meetings.”
Murkomen commended Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja for what he described as a new approach that allows officers to intervene before violence breaks out.
“I want to commend the Inspector General of Police because he now has a new strategy to arrest and detain goons even before they get to meetings to cause violence,” he said.
The CS said the approach was intended to prevent disorder rather than wait for political gatherings to turn chaotic before police intervene.
His remarks come amid renewed concerns over violence reported at political meetings, including a recent Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County, as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Murkomen maintained that Kenya remains secure, saying security agencies had made progress in dealing with threats including banditry, terrorism and robberies.
He, however, stressed that political leaders must cooperate with security agencies and follow established procedures when organising public meetings.
The CS also cautioned Kenyans against politicians he accused of using inflammatory messages to create divisions.
“Msisikie mahubiri ama wahubiri wa uongo ambao wanataka kuleta uhasama katika taifa. Wanajaribu kuongeza chumvi mambo ambayo wao wenyewe ndio waanzilishi,” he said.
Omollo has similarly warned that the government will not allow political violence or the deployment of goons to interfere with lawful gatherings.
The PS has maintained that Kenyans have a constitutional right to peaceful assembly but must exercise that right within the law.
He has also urged political leaders to notify police before holding public meetings and cooperate with security authorities.
Omollo has further cautioned leaders against exploiting unemployed young people to cause disruptions, instead urging them to support programmes that provide youth with economic opportunities.
The government’s warnings signal a tougher security posture as political mobilisation gathers pace ahead of the 2027 polls, with authorities indicating that suspected organisers of violence could face intervention before rallies begin.
At the Belgut Marathon, Murkomen also urged residents to fight drug and substance abuse and encouraged those without national identity cards to register for the documents.
He said possession of identification documents was important for accessing government services and participating in elections.
The annual marathon, organised by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, seeks to raise funds to support needy students in the constituency.
The event provided a platform for the government officials to combine their security message with calls for youth empowerment, national unity and peaceful political participation.
