MURKOMEN DEMANDS GACHAGUA TO RECORD STATEMENT OVER AL SHABAB ALLEGATIONS

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to record a statement with security agencies upon his return to Kenya, following remarks in which Gachagua linked President William Ruto to alleged meetings with Al Shabaab leaders. Speaking on Saturday, August 9, 2025, during an Economic Empowerment event in Elgeyo Marakwet attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and other Kenya Kwanza leaders, Murkomen sharply criticised Gachagua’s comments, terming them reckless, baseless, and damaging to Kenya’s international standing.

“You must conduct yourself with the highest level of respect. I recently saw someone sitting where you are now, making disparaging remarks about our country and treating matters of national security as a joke. He thinks talking about terrorism in America will win him votes,” Murkomen said. The CS insisted that Gachagua should not make such grave allegations without substantiating them. “Because he claims to have information, we demand that as soon as he lands in Kenya, he must record a statement and tell us which meetings he had with terrorists,” Murkomen stated.

He further questioned Gachagua’s leadership credentials, warning that such utterances could incite fear and harm Kenya’s diplomatic relations. “We have taken this lightly for too long. How can such a person be president of Kenya? He did not even complete half his term as Deputy President, and now he says he wants to serve for one term,” Murkomen added.

Earlier this week, while addressing a separate forum, Gachagua alleged that President Ruto held a night meeting in Mandera with three Al Shabaab leaders to discuss undisclosed matters. “We want to know why you are working with Al Shabaab. When you were in Mandera, you met three Al Shabaab leaders at night,” Gachagua claimed. He also alleged that the United States is concerned that suspected terrorists might be registered as Kenyan citizens and later gain entry into America and other countries to commit acts of terror.