Murkomen warns public servants engaging in partisan politics, insulting President

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to chiefs, assistant chiefs, police officers, and other public servants against engaging in political campaigns or making derogatory remarks about the government.

Speaking firmly on the matter, Murkomen said it is illegal and unconstitutional for public officers to take part in partisan politics, including chanting political slogans or insulting the President.

“Hakuna chief, assistant chief or police officer atapatikana akiongea mambo against the government of the day. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional," he warned.

(No chief, assistant chief, or police officer will be found speaking against the government of the day. It is illegal and unconstitutional).

"If we find a police officer insulting the President or singing political slogans and still expecting to serve in government, that officer should be fired immediately."

Murkomen who spoke in Narok at the Jukwaa la Usalama forum, stressed that this is a principle that applies to the current, past, and future administrations.

He stated that anyone who chooses to serve in public office must respect the government in place, regardless of political preference.

The CS noted that while every citizen has the right to vote in private, public servants must refrain from participating in campaigns.

He said they should instead focus on understanding and implementing the policies of the government of the day.

His remarks follow recent cases of some police officers taking to their social media pages to publicly criticise the government, including the president.

One of the officers has, however, been dismissed from the service after he allegedly opposed government directives.

He is said to have defied orders on the Saba Saba protests.

Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, who had also become a vocal critic of the government, even skipping cabinet meetings, was dismissed in May.

President William Ruto described him as someone who was ‘fairly incompetent’.