Murkomen: I won’t be intimidated by ICC threats or anarchists

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has dismissed threats of International Criminal Court (ICC) action over the government’s handling of recent anti-government protests, saying he will not be intimidated by individuals he described as anarchists hiding behind human rights claims.

Speaking in Kajiado County, the CS said he will continue to support and defend police officers who acted lawfully in quelling violent demonstrations and protecting lives and property.

“I will not be scared by ICC threats. Scare somebody else, not the people who know the law,” Murkomen said, adding that he would not allow criminals to pose as victims while law enforcement is unfairly targeted.

The CS was responding to a case filed in court by politician Reuben Kagame, accusing him, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohammed Amin of using excessive force during the protests.

Murkomen stood firm that the police acted within the Constitution.

“I want to say I am very confident and clear in my mind that the IG and his team worked diligently and within the confines of the Constitution to defend this nation and, given a chance, we will do the same to defend the country as the ministry responsible for security,” he said.

He rejected any attempts to use courts to intimidate security agencies or second-guess their operational decisions.

“We don’t have time to do experimental ideas on who will be taken to court by whom. We know the law,” he stated.

The CS also pointed out that those criticising police officers were silent on the actions of demonstrators who torched police stations, administrative offices, vehicles, and even suspects in custody, citing the incident in Ol Kalau.

Murkomen said he is well-versed in the Rome Statute, the Penal Code, and other laws, and stressed that all officers who carried out their duties lawfully would continue to enjoy his full support.

He said the state will not tolerate chaos and destruction disguised as protests, and vowed to uphold peace and protect Kenyans from lawlessness.

“We will continue to protect the lives of Kenyans, their property and the country from anarchists out to cause chaos and destruction by subverting the constitutional order,” he said.