Speaking at the Uasin Gishu County Commissioner’s office in Eldoret on Friday, Murkomen accused Odhiambo of defending lawbreakers and ignoring the plight of innocent Kenyans whose properties were destroyed during the demonstrations.
“I disagree with the LSK President and those who want to make the crimes lighter,” Murkomen said.
“People burning courts and police stations using petrol bombs are properly defined as terrorists because they have committed acts of terror.”
The LSK boss had earlier criticized the government’s move to invoke the Anti-Terrorism and Prevention Act against some youth arrested during the protests.
In a televised interview, Odhiambo argued that the charges were a misuse of the law, aimed at intimidating protesters and eroding constitutional freedoms.
She maintained that most of those arrested were engaged in peaceful demonstrations, and the burden of proving terror-related offences in court would be an uphill task for the prosecution.
But Murkomen dismissed her remarks, saying Odhiambo, whom he referred to as his former student, had “got it wrong” and was now siding with individuals whose actions had endangered national security.
“I want to tell Odhiambo, who is my former student, that on this one she is damn wrong and must work to redeem her image damaged by siding with criminals,” Murkomen stated.
The CS defended the government’s decision to press terror charges, insisting that those accused were not peaceful protestors but criminals involved in arson, looting, and destruction of public infrastructure, including courts and police facilities.
He cautioned the judiciary against bowing to public pressure to reduce bail terms for those facing terrorism charges, saying the courts must remain firm.
“The Anti-Terrorism Act is sufficient to deal with the offences committed during these protests. The judiciary must not be intimidated into lowering bail terms for individuals who committed heinous crimes under the guise of protests,” he added.
Murkomen further questioned the LSK’s stance, stating that the legal body should support the government’s efforts to maintain order, rather than defend individuals he claimed had infiltrated otherwise peaceful protests to cause mayhem.
“The LSK should be on the side of the government in protecting Kenyans. You can’t say it’s hard to prove terror charges when the matter is before court. That’s not your place,” he said.
He also alleged that there had been a deliberate effort to ferry people into Eldoret during the recent protests to stir unrest, warning that security agencies were closing in on those behind the alleged mobilization.
“Let those involved in planning and financing the chaos know that we are coming for them, and we will be very ruthless,” he warned.
Murkomen made the remarks before presiding over a security forum at Gulab Lochab Hall, part of his ongoing “Jukwaa la Usalama” grassroots forums. Friday’s forum marked his 18th such engagement.
The CS was accompanied by Immigration Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang, Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police Gilbert Masengeli, and other senior security and government officials.
He used the platform to call for vigilance ahead of the next general election, noting that the North Rift region, being highly cosmopolitan, would be closely monitored to prevent political incitement.
“This is a highly cosmopolitan area, and we will be keen on maintaining healthy social relations between communities as we head to the polls,” Murkomen said.
He claimed that individuals from outside the region were attempting to fuel ethnic divisions for political gain and warned that the government would not hesitate to act.
“Anyone from any side of the political divide who tries to incite our people will be dealt with ruthlessly and in accordance with the law,” he said.
