Vote and Go Home, Murkomen Tells Kenyans as By-Elections Begin

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a firm warning to politicians ahead of Thursday’s by-elections, cautioning them against rallying supporters to “protect votes.” He said the responsibility of securing the electoral process rests solely with the state, not with civilians or political groups.

Murkomen voiced his concerns on Wednesday while inspecting security preparations in Kasipul. He highlighted what he described as an emerging and worrying trend where politicians urge their supporters to guard votes at polling and tallying centres, an act he labelled both illegal and unnecessary.

“I want Kenyans to know that no civilian has been given the responsibility to protect any vote,” he said firmly. “All Kenyans have a right to vote, and the provision of security is the preserve of the National Police Service.”

The CS warned political actors against hiring or transporting groups of youths to polling or tallying stations with the intention of intimidating opponents or interfering with the electoral process.

“I want to warn all those preparing to ferry goons to tallying centres to protect votes and disrupt the process that they will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

Murkomen assured voters that security agencies have deployed adequate measures to ensure peaceful participation, including for women, older citizens, and persons with disabilities – groups often fearful of election-related violence.

“I want to ask women, persons with disability, and the aged who might be afraid of violence to know that we have put in place measures to guarantee their security,” he said.

He also placed vehicle owners on notice, saying authorities will hold them accountable if they knowingly rent out their cars to individuals transporting hired thugs.

“Owners of vehicles hired to ferry goons will also face the law because they are enablers,” he stated.

Murkomen urged voters to cast their ballots and head home immediately, stressing that crowding around tallying centres will not be allowed.

“Once you vote, go home and wait for the results. There is nothing like protecting your vote; we will not allow loitering around tallying stations,” he said. “Voting ends at the polling station. So you cannot tell us that you are waiting at a tallying centre to protect a vote.”

The CS encouraged Kenyans to remain calm regardless of the outcome. “Keep peace and go home to wait for the results. If your candidate wins, you celebrate; if they don’t, you plan for the next elections,” he said.

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