Interior CS, police boss Kanja ordered to personally appear before Senate over gangs’ surge

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS) Douglas Kanja are set to personally appear before a Senate committee after lawmakers raised concerns over rising incidents of politically linked violence and insecurity across the country.

The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, chaired by Fatuma Dullo, directed that the two security chiefs attend a rescheduled sitting next Thursday after they failed to appear as initially required.

Their absence forced the adjournment of proceedings, despite the presence of Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin.

Dullo insisted that accountability in matters of national security cannot be delegated, rejecting attempts by the Interior Ministry to send representatives in place of senior officials.

The Inspector General had requested a postponement, while the Cabinet Secretary sent a delegate, a move senators dismissed.

“We cannot proceed without the responsible officers present. This matter is of great public concern and demands direct answers,” Dullo said.

She warned that Kenya is facing what she termed an “unacceptable pattern” of political hostility, including attacks on leaders, disruption of public gatherings, and intimidation linked to political activity. She stressed the need for urgent national consensus to curb rising violence.

“This is an issue we must confront as a nation. We cannot normalise violence or intimidation in our political space,” she added.

Senators cited recent incidents involving organised groups allegedly mobilised to disrupt political events and clash with police, as well as renewed banditry in parts of the country that has led to deaths, livestock theft, and economic losses.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna criticised the absence of the security chiefs, saying Parliament expects direct engagement from those in charge of national security.

“We invited the Cabinet Secretary, not a proxy. The country expects answers from those responsible,” he said, adding that deliberations would only proceed once both officials appear before the committee.

The summons comes amid growing political tension following reports of assaults and disruptions targeting political leaders, including the alleged attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi in Kisumu and incidents of interference with public rallies in different parts of the country.

Opposition leaders have also linked some of the violence to organised groups allegedly used to intimidate political opponents, and have called for accountability within the Interior Ministry.

Meanwhile, both Murkomen and Kanja are also expected before a National Assembly committee next week to address the broader security situation in the country.

Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, who chairs the National Assembly Administration and Internal Security Committee, acknowledged public concern over insecurity but urged calm as investigations and briefings continue.

The developments come against the backdrop of the Jukwaa la Usalama report, launched by President William Ruto in December 2025, which highlighted the presence of more than 130 criminal gangs in Nairobi County alone.

According to the report, Nairobi remains the country’s most affected area, with gangs involved in political violence, kidnappings, extortion, and murder.

The report noted that while some groups are structured, many are informal and only mobilise during election periods.