'There was no clear notification,' Murkomen blames Gachagua allies, orders probe into homecoming chaos

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen blames Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leaders for failing to notify police officers of their itinerary during former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s homecoming.

Speaking in Kirinyaga, Murkomen condemned the violence witnessed on Thursday, where hired goons were used to harass Kenyans, leaving journalists injured and several cars stoned.

He said the government had requested the DCP leaders to notify security agents prior to the homecoming, but the leaders defied and ignored the orders.

“Sometimes the police are just on standby to see whether there is any problem, like yesterday, they were just on standby because there was no clear notification to them about what event was going to happen and on what routes,” he said.

“It was very sad that political activists were going to play games inside our airports. The airport is a protected area and not a place for games like we saw. Whatever was being done was totally useless with no value to anyone.”

The CS further added that police officers have launched investigations to establish who organised and hired the goons who were terrorising residents from JKIA and along Jogoo Road.

Murkomen added that any leader found to have facilitated the goons will be arrested and prosecuted, irrespective of their political status.

He assured Kenyans that the government will put more measures in place to enhance security by deploying more police officers to protect innocent Kenyans caught in between political activities.

Scores were injured as Gachagua's supporters clashed with armed goons who attempted to disrupt the procession from JKIA.

A group of armed youth attacked the convoy shortly after Gachagua left the airport.

Armed with stones and crude weapons, the goons pelted the DCP leader’s convoy with stones, injuring several people and damaging vehicles.