Murkomen warns politicians over youth violence ahead of 2027

Nairobi, Kenya - Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to politicians against using young people to incite violence ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking in Kieni, Nyeri, Murkomen directed security officials to prevent politicians from mobilizing youth for violent acts. He emphasized that the government will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt Kenya's peace.

Murkomen stated that his responsibility extends beyond the election and includes ensuring the safety of Kenyans before, during, and after the polls. "My responsibility is to ensure that Kenya remains safe. Even after the elections end next year, besides those who will be elected, as the Minister for Security, I must ensure that next year's election will be free and safe," he said. "We will not allow anyone, not even a single person, to shed blood."

The warning follows recent figures revealed by Murkomen, indicating that 1,189 individuals were sentenced for offenses linked to political violence and goonism since 2022. Additionally, 121,870 youths were incarcerated between 2022 and 2026, with 11,824 serving sentences for crimes related to criminal gangs, violent extremism, and political goonism.

The government is determined to maintain peace and prevent political competition from escalating into violence, with security agencies prepared to safeguard the country as the 2027 elections approach.