Sifuna blames Interior CS Murkomen for failing to contain by-election violence
Sifuna demanded that Murkomen and his team take full responsibility for failing to secure the safety of all participants in the ongoing by-elections.
Orange Democratic Movement Party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has blamed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for failing to tame the incidents of violence witnessed in the by-elections across the country.
Sifuna, who is also the Nairobi Senator, demanded that Murkomen and his team take full responsibility for failing to secure the safety of all participants in the ongoing by-elections.
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While speaking on Thursday, November 27 2025, he described the day of the by-elections as one of the bloodiest election days in the history of elections in Kenya.
Just a day before the mini-polls were held, Murkomen had publicly assured all Kenyans that security forces had been deployed across affected regions to safeguard voters and uphold the integrity of the polls.
"I remain confident that with cooperation, vigilance, and respect for the rule of law, tomorrow's by-elections will reflect the true will of the people. We have taken comprehensive steps to ensure security, order, and a conducive environment for all voters," Murkomen had assured.
However, Senator Sifuna vehemently blamed security officials for incompetence and alleged complicity in planning and executing the unrest.
This comes as chaos was reported in many areas across the country. In Malava, reports emerged early Thursday morning that a vehicle in a candidate's convoy, a Toyota Prado, was allegedly torched in Manyonje by unknown assailants aiming to intimidate voters in what is considered a stronghold for one of the contenders.
Local officials said at least two people were injured in a related clash at a hotel where campaign activities were ongoing. The police have arrested five suspects in connection with the vehicle arson.
Voting continued under heavy security deployment in the affected areas, but according to the IEBC, voter turnout dropped in affected polling stations.
Across the border in Kabuchai, Bungoma County, morning polling was disrupted by a mob attack on Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who was campaigning for his preferred MCA candidate.
Despite the assurances from security agencies, outbreaks of violence in Malava, Kabuchai, Kasipul, and other areas have raised serious questions about their preparedness.
In the social media post, Sifuna lamented the widespread violence, arguing that the security command must take responsibility. He stated that the level of chaos being witnessed points either to incompetence in the security command or their outright involvement in planning and executing it.
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