‘Wacheni ujinga!’ Murkomen defends remarks on police asking Kenyans for fuel money

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has criticised journalists for questioning his remarks suggesting police officers can ask citizens to fuel their vehicles when called upon for security services.

Speaking amid public outrage, Murkomen stood by his comments, dismissing claims that such requests amount to bribery.

He insisted officers are often stranded due to fuel shortages before month-end.

“Is it news that mafuta ya polisi for the longest inaisha before the end of the month? It’s public knowledge, the allocation we give our police is 450 litres…halafu polisi akisema mafuta imeisha unaita yeye corrupt...tuwache ujinga,” said the CS.

Speaking during a security forum in Nyamira County, Murkomen accused journalists of twisting his earlier comments and turning a funding challenge into a corruption scandal.

“Nilikuwa naona wengine wanaandika kwa gazeti eti Murkomen is encouraging corruption by saying support police officers, mwekee mafuta kwa gari zao. Kwani hiyo ni story? Ni kama some of these people wanaandika magazeti have never interacted with police officers,” he stated.

The CS stood by his earlier position stating that it is not uncommon for police vehicles to run out of fuel mid-month, a situation he attributes to budgetary constraints.

“Let’s also be reasonable; mafuta yameisha, it is 450 litres, what else did you want the police officer to say?” He posed.

However, Murkomen revealed the government is already moving to fix the problem, citing ongoing discussion with Treasury to increase the monthly fuel allocation for police vehicles from 450 litres to 650 litres.

During his engagement with local security officers, Murkomen urged police commanders to hold regular meetings with local communities to build trust, improve service delivery, and enhance security coordination.