Murkomen defends police over JKIA breach, says situation could have turned tragic

CS Kipchumba Murkomen said the situation could have escalated into tragedy had the officers responded with force, noting that the operation required patience, coordination, and calm judgment under pressure.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has, for the first time addressed the security breach at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) during the late Raila Odinga’s farewell events, saying the police showed commendable restraint in the face of provocation.
Speaking at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology on Sunday, Murkomen said the situation could have escalated into tragedy had the officers responded with force, noting that the operation required patience, coordination, and calm judgment under pressure.
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“It was a very challenging event because it’s not something we had planned for. It wasn’t in the government’s schedule,” he said.
“But I’m glad that through a multi-agency effort, our teams managed to handle it in a very complicated and difficult environment, and in the end, we got it right,” Murkomen added.
The CS said there were moments when the situation at the airport became tense and unpredictable. However, he emphasised that security agencies made a deliberate decision to avoid confrontation for the safety of the public.
“Some may think it was easy, but it wasn’t. The police could have used force, but the consequences would have been too bad,” Murkomen explained.
He admitted that there were a few breaches at the airport but said the government learned and adjusted quickly as the day progressed.
Murkomen said cooperation between the security sector and citizens improved as the events moved from JKIA to Nyayo Stadium and other venues.
“By the time we reached Nyayo and later Bond Road, the coordination had greatly improved. The supporters of the former Prime Minister worked with the security teams, and that’s how we managed to maintain peace,” he said.
In addition, CS Murkomen praised the police, military, and other security agencies for working in unity under immense pressure.
“I want to appreciate the entire security team for coming together and implementing a solid operational plan that made all this possible,” he said, adding that the success would not have been achieved without public support.
Three people died on Thursday at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, where thousands of mourners had gathered to view Raila Odinga’s body.
Two others died on Friday during the State funeral at Nyayo Stadium, and one more person was shot dead in Homa Bay Town on Thursday night.
Nairobi County’s Chief Officer for Public Health, Dr Tom Nyakaba, confirmed that five of the bodies were received at the Nairobi Funeral Home (formerly City Mortuary). Three of them have been identified, including Vincent Oguttu and Evans Kichie.
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said it treated 40 people at Kasarani and Parliament Buildings.
“On October 17, at the Nyayo Stadium field hospital, the multi-agency teams attended to 163 patients and referred 34 others for further care. Most injuries involved blunt force trauma and fractures. Tragically, two lives were lost in the stampede that occurred,” the agency stated.
MSF said the stampede was not the only cause of injuries. “The stampede happened later in the afternoon, but we had been treating patients throughout the day,” it added.
Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister and veteran opposition leader, died on Wednesday and will be laid to rest on Sunday at his family home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County.
Murkomen said the peaceful conduct of the farewell events was proof that Kenyans and the security sector could work together even under high tension. “The cooperation we witnessed from citizens was remarkable,” he said.
“It’s that unity that allowed us to reach this far without further tragedy.”
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