Faith Odhiambo Challenges Murkomen’s Denial of Goons Crisis, Urges Independent Probe

Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Faith Odhiambo has publicly challenged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s assertion that Kenya is not experiencing a goons crisis. The disagreement comes after a violent disruption of the Linda Mwananchi political tour in Homa Bay County.

Murkomen recently stated that Kenya remains safe and accused political leaders of disregarding security warnings about the presence of organised violent groups, commonly referred to as 'goons'. He questioned why politicians would hold meetings in areas flagged for potential violence, urging them to avoid such gatherings.

In response, Odhiambo argued that Murkomen’s denial dismisses the lived experiences of citizens who face threats when exercising their constitutional rights. She emphasized that the issue transcends semantics, highlighting that organised and politically enabled violence constitutes a serious public order and constitutional crisis.

Odhiambo stressed that the focus should not be on why opposition figures enter volatile areas but on why citizens must weigh the risk of violence to participate in political activities. She insisted that responsibility lies with those who incite or allow violence, not the victims or participants in peaceful assemblies.

Key points from Odhiambo’s statement include:

• Kenya requires an independent investigation into political violence, including identifying those involved, their mobilisers, financiers, and protectors.
• Public safety should not rely on advising citizens to avoid certain locations but on preventing violence and protecting the right to participate in public affairs.
• Accountability must extend beyond visible perpetrators to include those who enable or shield violent actors.
• The state should be capable of distinguishing between peaceful protesters and attackers to uphold law and order effectively.

Odhiambo concluded that while denial may temporarily shape public narratives, only transparent accountability can restore trust in Kenya’s security institutions and political processes.