Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen strongly condemns political incitement following tear gas disruptions at a rally led by Senator Edwin Sifuna, demanding accountability and an end to violent political theater.

The political temperature in Kenya has spiked violently following a chaotic clash at the "Linda Mwananchi" rally in Vihiga County. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has delivered a scathing rebuke, characterizing the tear gas disruptions as dangerous political "comedy" orchestrated by reckless leaders.

As the country slowly recovers from the deep polarization of the last general election, the premature resumption of violent political posturing threatens to derail national economic recovery. The incident, involving high-profile figures like Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, highlights the toxic intersection of political ambition and state security, raising alarm bells about the trajectory of Kenya's democratic stability.

The Anatomy of Political Violence

The events in Vihiga provide a textbook example of how quickly political rhetoric can devolve into physical chaos. What was billed as a public sensitization rally rapidly transformed into a battleground, resulting in injuries and the tragically reported death of a civilian. The deployment of tear gas, whether by state security apparatus or rival political goons, signifies a catastrophic breakdown of public order. CS Murkomen, speaking at the AIC Kapng'etik church, rightly identified the root cause: the cynical manipulation of the youth by the political elite. Politicians frequently utilize impoverished young men as foot soldiers to intimidate rivals and project dominance, creating a volatile environment where violence becomes normalized. This "comedy," as Murkomen termed it, is a deadly game that extracts a heavy toll on the ordinary citizenry. The disruption of commerce, the destruction of property, and the loss of life are the true costs of this political theater. The culture of political impunity, where leaders incite violence without facing legal consequences, remains the greatest threat to Kenya's internal security.

The Economic Cost of Instability

The immediate fallout from political clashes extends far beyond the tear gas smoke; it strikes directly at the heart of the economy. In a climate of uncertainty, capital flight accelerates, and foreign direct investment plummets.

• Political instability is estimated to cost the Kenyan economy up to 1.5% of its annual GDP growth during turbulent periods.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the backbone of the economy, suffer massive losses due to forced closures and property damage during riots.
• The deployment of anti-riot police drains millions of shillings from the national security budget, funds that should be directed towards combating actual crime.
• Persistent political violence severely damages Kenya's reputation as a safe destination for international tourism and conferences.

Investors require predictability and the rule of law. When political rallies routinely end in violence, the perception of Kenya as a stable regional anchor is shattered. The resulting economic stagnation exacerbates the very grievances—unemployment and poverty—that politicians exploit to mobilize their violent mobs. It is a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle of destruction. The government must recognize that maintaining security is not merely about policing; it is a fundamental prerequisite for economic survival.

Enforcing Accountability and the Rule of Law

CS Murkomen's tough rhetoric must be immediately followed by decisive, impartial action from the investigative agencies. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) must conduct a thorough, non-partisan inquiry into the Vihiga chaos to identify and prosecute the financiers and orchestrators of the violence. If the political elite are continually allowed to bypass the law, the authority of the state will completely erode. Furthermore, the political class must agree to a basic code of conduct that strictly prohibits the militarization of public rallies. The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in the Constitution, but it does not equate to the right to incite violence or disrupt public order. The electorate, too, must reject leaders who view violence as a legitimate political tool. “We cannot build a prosperous nation on a foundation of tear gas, bloodshed, and political deceit,” Murkomen warned, setting a benchmark for accountability that the entire nation is now watching to see enforced.