Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen slams LSK for 'backing violent protest suspects over victims'
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen defended the government’s decision to press terrorism charges against individuals accused of orchestrating violence, and warned that the State would not relent in its pursuit of justice.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has slammed the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), accusing it of siding with suspects involved in violent protests instead of standing with Kenyans who have suffered losses.
Speaking in Eldoret during the launch of the Jukwaa La Usalama public engagement in Uasin Gishu County, Murkomen defended the government’s decision to press terrorism charges against individuals accused of orchestrating violence, and warned that the State would not relent in its pursuit of justice.
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“The Prevention of Terrorism Act is clear and unambiguous. Orchestrating violence, endangering life, creating serious risk to public health or safety, causing serious property damage, using firearms or explosives, and interfering with essential services are all terrorist acts. How better can we define those using petrol bombs to burn courts and other critical infrastructure?” he posed.
The CS urged the Judiciary not to be intimidated into granting lenient bail terms to individuals charged with such offences, insisting that the protection of law-abiding citizens must remain paramount.
“I saw the interview of the LSK president, and she was arrogating herself the position of a judge. How did she determine that the evidence we gave in court is not watertight? The question of threshold is a court process,” he said.
The CS called on LSK President Faith Odhiambo to stand for the rule of law, noting that this includes allowing suspects to be tried in court rather than making public judgments.
“Once a matter is in court, she can choose to stand with the suspects as a defence lawyer or stand with the people of Kenya who have suffered loss of property during violent protests,” he said.
He added that he had expected LSK and the Opposition to support government efforts aimed at ensuring peaceful demonstrations going forward.
“I was expecting LSK and the Opposition to support us on this so that going forward we can have peaceful protests,” Murkomen said.
The CS further took a swipe at former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, reminding him that he presided over the passage of the Prevention of Terrorism Act as Speaker of the National Assembly, and urged him to advise those allegedly sponsoring violence.
“Muturi should advise those who sponsor violence accordingly,” Murkomen said.
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