Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has launched a scathing critique of President William Ruto for appointing Kipchumba Murkomen as the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, describing the move as both deliberate and misguided.
Speaking during a live interview on K24 TV on Thursday, July 17, 2025, Muturi questioned Murkomen’s maturity and temperament, saying the powerful docket requires measured leadership, not youthful excitement.
“They say if you want to test a man, give him power. I think power has gotten to his head,” Muturi said. “He is a fairly young man who is excited about the exercise of power, and there is also an element of childishness in him.”
“Ruto Made a Deliberate Mistake”
The former National Assembly Speaker did not spare President Ruto from blame, accusing him of exercising poor judgment when assigning Murkomen to a ministry that oversees internal security, policing, and civil administration.
“Ruto made a mistake in giving such an excitable youth the responsibility to head a docket as serious as the Interior. Even you, as the appointing authority, we must begin questioning your capacity at leadership,” Muturi stated.
He emphasized that the Interior Ministry, which has authority over the National Police Service, requires mature, calculated leadership, especially at a time when Kenya is grappling with rising insecurity and concerns over police brutality.
“This is a serious docket that needs a mature person. The job requires a lot of reflection in the statements you make,” he added.
Mounting Pressure: Calls for Murkomen’s Sacking
Muturi’s criticism follows growing dissatisfaction within the political class regarding Murkomen’s leadership. Earlier in June 2025, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei openly called for Murkomen’s dismissal, citing surging insecurity and what he termed “absentee leadership.”
“The crime rate continues to go up and up,” Cherargei said. “I think there is a possibility that Professor Kindiki can become the Minister of Interior and also become the Deputy President because the minister in charge is busy traveling across the country and is now in Swaziland when the security of the country is deteriorating.”
Cherargei proposed that Interior CS duties be reassigned to current Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, whom he said had the bandwidth and capability to manage both roles effectively.
Controversial Directives and Judiciary Tensions
Murkomen has recently been in the spotlight over controversial public statements. In the wake of anti-government protests, he ordered police officers to shoot protesters who approach police stations—remarks that drew fierce backlash from civil society and human rights organizations.
He also accused the Judiciary of granting protesters what he described as lenient bail conditions, further escalating tensions between the Executive and the courts.
Political Fallout and Public Perception
The growing backlash signals rising discomfort within Kenya Kwanza and allied circles over Murkomen’s conduct. While the Interior Ministry has traditionally been considered a stabilizing force in any administration, critics argue that Murkomen’s abrasive style and political posturing could erode public trust and inflame tensions amid a volatile national atmosphere.
As public anger over police brutality, cost of living, and government spending continues to simmer, analysts warn that failure to rein in inflammatory rhetoric from top officials like Murkomen may worsen Kenya’s political and security situation.
