Murkomen Puts Corrupt Officials on Notice in Kitui
Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen isn’t mincing words—he’s fed up with officials pocketing bribes or skirting the rules, and he’s determined to put an end to it. During a visit to Kitui as part of his tour of Lower Eastern Kenya, Murkomen delivered a tough message to local security and administrative officers: stop the graft or prepare to face the consequences. His frustration is clear, especially when he says, “Our main client is the Kenyan people and we will not allow this to be compromised.”
Murkomen’s speech pulled no punches and focused sharply on the National Government administration officers, the National Police Service, and National Police Reservists. He called out cases of human trafficking and the sneaky fees some officials demand for basic government services, like getting a national ID card. His stance? There’s no such thing as a minor offense—“Whether a thousand shillings or a billion, no crime is smaller than another.” For Murkomen, every act of corruption chips away at people’s trust in their government and steals opportunities from ordinary Kenyans.
He made it clear that positions won’t protect anyone. Chiefs, assistant chiefs, Assistant County Commissioners (ACCs), Deputy County Commissioners (DCCs), and officers at every level are now under the microscope. Murkomen pointed to recent high-profile arrests—governors, Cabinet Secretaries, and Principal Secretaries have all faced graft charges—and promised this crackdown won’t stop at the lower ranks.
Big Push for Community Action and Accountability
The Interior CS didn’t just point fingers at officials—he also called on ordinary Kenyans to get involved. Communities, Murkomen insists, are essential in exposing corrupt dealings and helping bring guilty officials to justice. “Report corruption wherever you see it,” he urged, laying out his plan to work with the Public Service Commission to temporarily remove implicated officers from duty. Those facing charges would then have to defend themselves in court while the government looks for new, trustworthy replacements.
Murkomen’s tough talk fits with President William Ruto’s push for efficient government and honest public service. Since taking office, Ruto’s administration has emphasized cleaning up state agencies, promising Kenyans a government that actually delivers without expecting a secret payment in return. Oversight teams are ramping up investigations, and Murkomen wants them to keep digging and pulling back the curtain on corrupt deals.
What’s really different this time is the seriousness at the top. From small bribes for administrative favors to organized schemes trafficking people across the border, the government wants Kenyans to know no crime is too small for attention—and no one is too important to answer for their actions. If Murkomen’s words translate to action, some familiar faces in government offices might not keep their jobs much longer.
