Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a strong warning to chiefs, assistant chiefs, police officers, and other public servants against engaging in partisan politics or making derogatory remarks about the President and the government.
Speaking in Narok during the Jukwaa la Usalama forum, Murkomen stressed that it is both illegal and unconstitutional for public officers to participate in political campaigns, chant slogans, or publicly criticise the government of the day.
“Hakuna chief, assistant chief or police officer atapatikana akiongea mambo against the government of the day. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional,” he said, adding that such behaviour would not be tolerated in any administration past, present, or future.
The CS warned that any public servant found insulting the President or engaging in political chants should be dismissed immediately. He emphasised that serving in public office requires respect for the sitting government, regardless of one’s personal political affiliation.
Murkomen acknowledged that every Kenyan has the right to vote privately, but insisted that public servants must refrain from political activism and instead focus on implementing government policies.
His remarks come in the wake of several incidents involving public officers criticising the government online. In one case, a police officer was dismissed from service for allegedly defying government directives during the Saba Saba protests.
The government has also recently faced internal dissent. In May, former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi was dismissed after skipping cabinet meetings and openly criticising the administration. President William Ruto later described Muturi as “fairly incompetent.”
Murkomen said the principle of political neutrality among public officers was crucial for maintaining trust and professionalism in government institutions. “When you choose to serve, you choose to uphold the policies of the government in place, not campaign for or against it,” he reiterated.
The CS concluded by urging all public servants to remain apolitical in their duties, warning that those who mix politics with public service risk losing their jobs.
