Sifuna Hits Back at Murkomen Over Kitengela Rally Saga

Sifuna Hits Back at Murkomen Over Kitengela Rally Saga

Nairobi, Kenya – Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has strongly responded to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s claims that police were not notified of the Kitengela rally held by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders on Sunday, February 15.

Speaking during a parliamentary session on Thursday, February 19, Sifuna dismissed Murkomen’s assertions, insisting that he had already taken steps to notify the Cabinet Secretary of their upcoming rally in Kakamega this weekend.

“Since Murkomen remains on the Senate WhatsApp group as a former senator, I have shared the notice for the Kakamega rally both in the group and directly to his personal WhatsApp number, so he cannot later claim he was unaware of the event, as he did with the Kitengela rally,” Sifuna stated.

Murkomen’s Position

Murkomen had earlier said on Wednesday, February 18, that the Kitengela rally was disrupted because police officers had not been informed in advance.

“The recent rally in Kitengela was very unfortunate in that the report was not given to the police officers so that they could provide security,” the CS said, urging political leaders to give prior notification to authorities before holding rallies.

During the Kitengela event, police fired teargas at supporters shortly after proceedings began, forcing the rally to end abruptly.

Murkomen accused the organisers of deliberately holding the rally on a busy market day to attract large crowds and alleged that “goons” had been ferried in from other areas to cause chaos. ODM leaders have denied these claims, instead blaming the government and police for the violence, which left one supporter dead and several others injured.

Legal Requirements

Under the Public Order Act, rally organisers are required to notify police in writing at least three days, but no more than 14 days, before an event. The law does not require police approval but mandates notification to allow security arrangements.

Sifuna’s insistence that Murkomen was informed via WhatsApp highlights a growing dispute over what constitutes proper notification under the law. Analysts note that while digital communication is increasingly common, the Act still specifies written notices to local police stations.

Opposition’s Next Steps

In a related move, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) announced on Thursday that it had formally written to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, notifying him of their intent to visit his office on Friday, February 20. The letter is part of a broader opposition effort to demand accountability for recent disruptions at their rallies.

Opposition leaders, including Sifuna, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Rigathi Gachagua, have accused the government of using police force to suppress their political activities. They argue that the repeated use of teargas and heavy-handed tactics at rallies is unconstitutional and undermines the right to peaceful assembly.

Broader Context

The Kitengela saga is the latest in a series of confrontations between the opposition and security agencies. Earlier this month, rallies in Embu and Mombasa were also disrupted by police citing “security concerns.” The opposition maintains that these disruptions are politically motivated, while government officials insist they are necessary to maintain public order.

Conclusion

As tensions escalate, the dispute between Senator Sifuna and CS Murkomen underscores the fragile relationship between opposition leaders and state security agencies. With rallies planned in Kakamega and other counties, the debate over notification procedures and the right to assemble is likely to intensify, setting the stage for further political and legal battles in the weeks ahead.

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Sifuna Hits Back at Murkomen Over Kitengela Rally Saga