Wamuchomba to Murkomen: Enough press conferences, we want action on goons

Speaking during a press briefing in Ruiru n Wednesday, Wamuchomba said the rise of hired gangs in politics had become alarming and demanded action rather than statements from the Interior Ministry.

"Maneno ya wahuni, yaani goons, yamekuwa too much. Kama tunaelekea katika uchaguzi mkuu unaokuja next year, naogopa ya kwamba tusipochunga maneno ya goonism, wahuni kutumika katika siasa, inaweza kubomoa Kenya yetu," she said.

The legislator argued that despite the Interior Ministry having both the resources and the constitutional mandate to maintain law and order, it had responded to the crisis with repeated briefings instead of concrete action.

"Naona ni kama Ministry of Internal Security imelemewa kidogo, kwa sababu tunaona Murkomen kazi yake ni kutupatia press conferences. Kila Sunday yuko kwa press conference, lakini hatujaona action," she said.

She then issued a direct message to the Cabinet Secretary. "Nataka kumwambia mheshimiwa Murkomen, umeongea ya kutosha kuhusu goonism. Sasa tunataka kuona action. We want to see action," she said.

Wamuchomba cited a string of recent incidents she linked to political goons, among them the harassment of a young woman pulled off a stage while addressing a rally in Nyandarua, a senator she said was dragged from a hotel and assaulted, an attack on a Linda Mwananchi convoy in Kisii, and disruptions at churches in Kisumu and Murang'a.

She also tied the recent Westlands hotel shooting to what she described as politically financed thuggery, questioning why suspects were only pursued in some cases and not others.

"Juzi tu tumeona vijana waliingia kwa hoteli hapa Westlands, wakatoa bunduki, wakaanza kushoot watu, with arrogance and pride. Hao vijana si ni wale walikuwa wanapewa pesa ya ukora ya siasa hapa Nairobi?" she posed.

The MP faulted what she called selective policing, demanding that officers apply the law uniformly. "Kama polisi wamewafuata mpaka Kasarani, mbona hawajafuata wale waliua watu Kisii? Mbona hawajafuata wale waliopiga watu Nyahururu?" she asked.

She warned that failure to rein in the gangs would have grave consequences. "Hii maneno ya goons, msipochunga vizuri, Kenya itabomoka. Murkomen na Ministry ya Internal Security, enough of press conferences. We want to see action," she said.

Wamuchomba also took aim at Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, saying leaders entrusted with security responsibilities should exercise the authority vested in their offices rather than raising concerns through social media posts.

Her remarks come amid growing public concern over goonism that has disrupted businesses, public gatherings and political events in different parts of the country.

Business owners say the insecurity is taking a heavy economic toll. Samson Njau, a trader in Thika, said repeated attacks linked to criminal gangs have bred fear among entrepreneurs and customers alike, causing significant losses and disrupting normal operations.

Legal experts have also warned that the problem demands impartial enforcement of the law. Maina Kamunya, a lawyer and youth leader in Kiambu County, said the use of unlawful groups by politicians across the political divide threatens the country's security and democratic space.