Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia faced a hostile crowd in Embu County on Sunday after he announced plans to introduce a motion in Parliament seeking the removal of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
The MP, who was speaking at a bishop’s retirement ceremony, declared that he, together with Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, would sponsor the impeachment motion in response to Murkomen’s controversial orders to police officers. The orders, according to Kaguchia, included shooting unarmed youth during recent protests.
“You all heard the government say that if young people show up, they will be shot. That’s how 17 young Kenyans lost their lives. Murkomen, our Cabinet Secretary, even said that any man or woman who comes near a police station should be shot.
He claimed those were instructions from the top. We strongly condemn such statements,” Kaguchia told the crowd.
But his remarks were met with instant outrage. Members of the audience began booing and shouting “hapana” (meaning “no”), trying to silence him. Several people rose from their seats and moved toward the stage where Kaguchia was speaking.
Still determined, Kaguchia pressed on: “As your representative from Mukurweini, together with your own MPs Mukunji and Karemba, we are ready to present a motion in Parliament to remove CS Murkomen from office.”
At that point, some people managed to reach the podium, and in the chaos, they knocked the microphone out of his hands, cutting his speech short.
The tension escalated as more individuals surged forward, forcing the bishop hosting the event to step in. He picked up the microphone and firmly asked that political issues not be discussed during the ceremony.
He urged everyone to focus on the purpose of the event—honouring the retiring bishop—rather than political disputes.
Murkomen has faced growing criticism over the past week for statements he made that many believe encouraged police to shoot civilians viewed as threats, particularly during recent youth-led demonstrations.
In his comments made after the June 25 protests, Murkomen appeared to defend the use of force by officers. He said that his ministry would offer full protection to police officers involved in such situations.
“We have told the police that if anyone approaches a police station with criminal intent, shoot them,” Murkomen said in Kiswahili.
His remarks sparked anger among politicians, human rights activists, and even his former law professor, Kivutha Kibwana. Many argued that his words were dangerous and went against constitutional principles.
However, Murkomen has since tried to clarify that his remarks were misunderstood and that he was merely emphasizing the need for police to defend themselves when faced with real threats of harm or death.
On Sunday, June 30, Azimio leader Raila Odinga also criticized the remarks. He expressed deep concern over the instructions given to the police.
“It’s shameful—totally shameful—for anyone to tell police officers to shoot people just because they came close to a police station. Such behaviour should not be tolerated in a country that respects human rights,” Raila said.
He added, “If someone has broken the law, they should be arrested and taken to court. It’s the court’s job to decide whether they are guilty and what punishment they deserve—not the police.”
The fallout from Murkomen’s remarks continues to stir public anger, with increasing calls for accountability and a demand for leaders to protect lives rather than endorse excessive force.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
