MPs put Murkomen on the spot over abductions, goonism ahead of 2027 polls

Political goons are people used to create fear or disorder around political activities. Goonism refers to the broader practice of mobilising such groups to disrupt meetings, intimidate rivals or attack participants. It matters because political gatherings should allow peaceful participation and debate.

The article links goonism to several meetings. Former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo reportedly said he had ferried youths to political forums. MPs also described goons disrupting a Deputy President’s meeting in Embu, where two people died and cars were burned. Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said he nearly lost his life at a burial in Kisumu County.

The problem is especially serious before the 2027 General Election. MPs said politicians and government officials can fuel the practice. They urged Interior Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to act without favouring either government or opposition supporters. More than 100 people were arrested over the Homa Bay incident, but lawmakers demanded broader accountability.

MPs raised a pattern of violence and unresolved disappearances. They described people being abducted, killed or left missing, while political meetings faced attacks. They also reported property destruction. These cases mattered because lawmakers said public safety and confidence in the state were being weakened before the 2027 elections.

In Embu, goons invaded a meeting linked to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in September. Runyenjes MP Karemba Muchangi said two people died and several cars were burned. Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba said an abducted police officer was found dead in River Yala. A National Police Reservist, Ali Issack Abdullahi, had been missing for two months, while Mandera East MP Hussein Weytan had been missing for six months after an alleged abduction in Kariokor.

Wetang’ula said he nearly lost his life at a burial in Kisumu County. MPs also mentioned attacks involving Homa Bay political activities. Murkomen said investigations were continuing and that more than 100 people had been arrested over the Homa Bay incident.

The article gives two separate figures from different incidents. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told Parliament that more than 100 goons had been arrested over the Homa Bay incident during the Linda Mwananchi rally. The arrests were followed by presentation of suspects in various courts.

MPs gave a different figure for the violence in Embu. Runyenjes MP Karemba Muchangi said goons invaded a political meeting presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in September. He said two people were killed and several cars were burned. The article does not state that arrests were made in the Embu case.

These figures show both enforcement and continuing concern. The Homa Bay arrests indicate that police took action in that incident. However, MPs complained that no one had been arrested over the Embu deaths and destruction. They demanded equal treatment for people linked to government or opposition politics.

Kenya’s Interior Ministry is responsible for directing the national response to public security threats. In this case, MPs expected it to investigate abductions and deaths, find missing people, identify those responsible and prevent attacks at political meetings. Its conduct matters because unresolved cases can deepen fear and public distrust.

Murkomen told Parliament that investigations were ongoing and that police were pursuing all available leads. He also said there is no police unit or officer allowed to abduct anybody. MPs nevertheless cited unresolved cases, including Ali Issack Abdullahi’s disappearance and the reported abduction and death of a police officer in Emuhaya. They also raised Hussein Weytan’s six-month disappearance.

The Ministry must therefore show results through lawful investigations and impartial enforcement. MPs asked it to act against goons whether they support government or opposition. Murkomen said specific cases would be investigated, while more than 100 people were arrested over the Homa Bay incident.

Unresolved abductions and political goonism can make an election less peaceful by creating fear, anger and distrust. Families may lose confidence when authorities cannot explain where people are or who is responsible. Political violence can also discourage people from attending meetings, supporting candidates or exercising their rights safely.

MPs gave several warnings. Mandera South MP Haro said the family of missing reservist Ali Issack Abdullahi had received no comforting response after two months. Hussein Weytan’s family had waited six months after his reported abduction. In Embu, two people died and cars were burned when goons disrupted a political meeting.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo warned of many fatalities if goonism was not treated seriously. Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje said peaceful elections depended on how the government handled the issue. The article’s immediate implication is that investigations and impartial action are needed before 2027.

Arrests are only one part of preventing political violence. Police can assess risks before meetings, coordinate visible security, separate rival groups and create safe entry and exit routes. They can also record complaints quickly, protect witnesses and communicate clearly with organisers. These measures can reduce danger without treating peaceful political activity as a crime.

Courts can support prevention through timely hearings, lawful bail conditions and protection orders where justified. Prosecutors can build cases using reliable evidence rather than political claims. Independent investigators can examine disappearances, deaths and property destruction, including whether organisers financed or directed violence. Community leaders and political parties can also agree to nonviolence rules and report threats early.

These measures are especially relevant because MPs demanded action against government and opposition supporters alike. The article reports arrests in Homa Bay but unresolved concerns in Embu and several disappearance cases. A credible response therefore needs prevention, investigation, prosecution and public reporting, not arrests alone.

Independent investigations, due process and accountability are central to the rule of law. Investigations must establish what happened and who was responsible without political interference. Due process ensures that accused people receive a fair hearing and are not punished solely because of allegations. Accountability means proven wrongdoing leads to lawful consequences.

The article shows why these safeguards matter. MPs raised disappearances, a body found in River Yala, deaths in Embu and alleged mobilisation of goons. Murkomen said investigations were ongoing and that police were pursuing available leads. He also said no police unit or officer is authorised to abduct anyone. Those claims require evidence, careful investigation and court oversight.

Fair procedures protect victims by seeking truth and protecting families’ rights to answers. They also protect suspects from arbitrary arrest or politically motivated punishment. Applying the law equally to government and opposition supporters can rebuild confidence. Without that standard, unresolved cases and selective enforcement may worsen fear before 2027.