Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Saturday defended the government's security response to the June 25 demonstrations while responding to criticism by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua had questioned why the government had failed to prevent violence if it had prior intelligence on planned attacks.
Murkomen said the government would firmly deal with anyone found financing or recruiting criminal gangs.
Speaking at Kimwogo Grounds during the Kabiemit community empowerment programme, Murkomen claimed some politicians were using violence as a political tool but maintained that security agencies would continue enforcing the law.
"The reason Gachagua fears me is that I know him, and I know he's the father of violence in our country," Murkomen said.
His remarks come days after the June 25 demonstrations, which he claimed some political leaders had sought to exploit by mobilising criminal gangs.
He warned that anyone involved in recruiting or financing gangs would face the full force of the law.
"Any person who is involved in recruiting gangs and criminals, we will deal with them decisively and in accordance with the law," he said.
The CS was accompanied by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, area MPs, Members of the County Assembly and other leaders during the event.
Murkomen's remarks follow criticism by Gachagua earlier this week after the CS held a press briefing on security ahead of the June 25 protests.
In a post on his official pages, Gachagua argued that the government's primary responsibility was to prevent crime.
"The first and most important duty of the police is deterrence of crime. Mr Murkomen argues that he has intelligence reports that goons were being organised to commit crimes today. What has he done about it?" Gachagua said.
The former DP argued that if security agencies knew who was planning violence, they should have arrested those responsible before any attacks occurred.
"Since he is aware of their plans, why can't he stop them? Is he unwilling to stop them...? What does he want ordinary Kenyans to do if he is crying as the CS for Interior?" Gachagua said.
The DCP leader also questioned Murkomen's claim that opposition politicians were behind the recruitment of gangs instead of ordering their immediate arrest.
"He claims that politicians from the opposition are organising goons. Why can't he arrest these goons?" Gachagua said.
Gachagua further alleged that if government intelligence had identified businesspeople and leaders likely to be targeted, adequate security should have been deployed to protect them and prevent any destruction.
He also claimed that attacks on leaders allied to the government would be stage-managed to shift blame to the opposition and generate public sympathy.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during an event on June 27, 2026/FILE
