Murkomen Faults Leaders for Politicizing Security Matters
urkomen also restated that the only long-lasting threat that the country continues to battle remains from groups like Al Shabaab
Murkomen expressed concern over veteran politicians who have occupied high ranks in the past using the term. Photo/Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has sternly cautioned political leaders against politicizing national security, saying that Kenya is safe and not under any form of foreign military occupation.
Addressing reporters during his 36th Jukwaa La Usalama event in Kakamega County, Murkomen played down recent reports of foreign soldiers in Mandera as baseless and misleading. He noted that security matters are too sensitive to be politicized via slogans.
I wish to reassure Kenyans once more that there are no foreign forces anywhere in our country. Kenya is secure and has no external threat whatsoever,” Murkomen said.
The CS clarified that what one would normally find along the border are civilians fleeing war in neighboring regions, particularly Somalia, and fleeing to take refuge in Kenya. He added that such cases are dealt with via well-established diplomatic and humanitarian channels.
Murkomen also restated that the only long-lasting threat that the country continues to battle remains from groups like Al Shabaab. “That is the only real threat we are confronting, not a foreign military presence as alleged,” he stated.
Without naming them, Murkomen expressed concern over veteran politicians who have occupied high ranks in the past using the term “occupation” to describe the situation. He later named Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, Fred Matiang’i, and Justin Muturi, blaming them for scaremongering and spreading false information.
It is regrettable that individuals who have held the office of vice president or even security minister would employ such jargon. Occupation has a specific definition—it is a seizure, and nothing of the nature has taken place in Kenya,” he explained.
The CS also challenged the media to remain factual and objective when reporting security matters. He continued that while some of the media had aired news from Mandera schools and other areas, none of them had shown proof of foreign soldiers on Kenyan soil.
“Some have reported images of Mandera, but where are the so-called foreign soldiers? They are not there,” he maintained, calling for responsible reporting that does not stir needless tension.
By sending out a warning to the media and the leaders as well, Murkomen pointed out that national security should never be politicized because it has the potential of causing instability and public distrust.
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