Police not involved in abductions, Murkomen reaffirms

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has broken his silence on the alleged cases of abduction and firmly denied police involvement in the criminal activities.

Murkomen asserted that there was no such policy in government of abduction or enforced disappearances.

The CS stated that anyone arrested by the police ought to be taken to court within 24 hours.

"The National Police Service has confirmed to us that it has not arrested anyone and failed to take them to court as required by the law," he said.

Murkomen moved to reassure the public that NPS does not work under the whims of any political leader regardless of their status.

"As a government we are in agreement that NPS under the command of Inspector General is independent and so we are not going to interfere with their work," the CS said.

"When the police say they do not hold any person and they have not arrested any person, we believe so and as the Executive, it is our duty to support them."

Murkomen was speaking in Bungoma on Friday at the home of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula where he had gone to condole with the speaker's family following the death of their mother.

The CS, however, issued a stern warning to those misusing their digital platforms saying they will be arrested.

He said the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act was in force and anyone found to have breached it will be dealt with accordingly.

"We will arrest all of them including other criminals and bring them to book," he affirmed.

On the individuals said to be missing, the CS stated that investigations are underway to identify the perpetrators.

He said the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) has commenced investigations and they will fully support them.

This, as he urged parents and leaders to be responsible and instill positive values in their children as they grow for future prosperity.

Murkomen lamented that some parents were glorifying the bad things their children do on social media.

Highlighting the progress made in the last two years, Murkomen told Kenyans to stop finding fault in the President, saying no one has been killed since Ruto took office as it used to be.

Wetang'ula added his voice saying social media is good but also bad if not used in the right way. He said those hellbent on misusing it are committing crimes against known written law that is enforceable.

"We want to urge Kenyans to be responsible, to wish anyone death, to wish anyone harm is a crime under our law," Wetang'ula said.

"Please, those who are using social media, communicate, raise funds, seduce each other, if you are men and women, but stop causing despondency, hatred and dividing our society on lines that can be dangerous for our country."

Bungoma Senator David Wakoli and Elgeiyo Marakwet Woman Representative, Caroline Ng'elechei, echoed the sentiments and urged the police to bring to book all misusing social media influencers.