Public servants opposing Gov't should be fired immediately: Interior CS Murkomen

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen now says no public servant should openly oppose the government of the day, warning that such conduct is both illegal and unconstitutional.

Speaking on Monday during the Jukwaa la Usalama Narok chapter, Murkomen said public officers must respect the administration in place, regardless of their personal political opinions.

“Hakuna chief, or Assistant Chief, or a police officer, atapatikana akiongea mambo against the government of the day. Hakuna. It is illegal and unconstitutional,” he said.

The Interior CS insisted that political activism and partisan sloganeering have no place in public service.

“Tukipata police officer anatusi rais, anaimba slogans za siasa, na ati bado anataka kuserve the government of the day…na anaongea huko ati ako na political right…anaitwa President Kasongo…ama anaimba vitu za ‘one term’…that police officer or public servant should be fired immediately,” Murkomen stated.

He added that the principle does not only apply to the President William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza administration, but also to past and future governments.

“And I’m not saying because of this government, even the previous government and the government to come…lazima ukichoose to serve in public service, you must respect the government. Utapiga kure penye utapigia, na hakuna mtu atakuuliza…but you cannot participate in campaigns and sloganeering,” he said.

Murkomen said the duty of public servants is to understand and implement the policies of the government in office.

“Yours is to understand the government of the day, policies of the day and their implementation,” he said.

The remarks come after Jackson Kuria, alias 'Cop Shakur', a warder at the Kamiti Maximum Prison, was fired following his fierce criticism of the President Ruto government and support of the Gen Z-led protests.