Tag: Kipchumba Murkomen news

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a new directive to police officers, authorizing them to use lethal force against individuals who pose a direct threat to officers or attack police stations. The order comes amidst growing concerns over rising lawlessness and recent incidents targeting law enforcement facilities.

Addressing security personnel on Thursday, CS Murkomen expressed frustration over what he described as police leniency, which he believes has contributed to an increase in criminals storming police stations and stealing firearms.

“Tumeambia polisi, mtu yeyote ambaye atakaribia police station, piga yeye risasi (We have directed the police that anyone who dares approach a police station with criminal intent, shoot them),” Murkomen stated emphatically.

The CS also voiced his discontent with a judicial system that, according to him, has allowed repeat offenders to be released on lenient bond terms, only for them to return and challenge law enforcement. “They get released on small bond, return to fight police, and even mock them. This must come to an end,” he asserted.

Murkomen’s initial remarks immediately sparked concerns among listeners, who questioned whether the directive applied to anyone approaching a police station, including those seeking assistance or reporting cases. In a swift clarification, the CS clarified that the shoot-to-kill order was exclusively aimed at “thugs who attack police stations and steal guns from there.”

“Those looking for help, shelter, and reporting cases are okay, but people who come to snatch guns from the police, those who attack police and think that guns are toys must be stopped,” Murkomen clarified to a charged crowd.

He argued that current trends are emboldening criminals, leading to increased violence against officers and repeated attacks on police stations. According to Murkomen, the government can no longer permit police officers to be “sitting targets.”

The directive is issued at a time when police and police stations have indeed become frequent targets. During the June 25 commemorative protests on Wednesday, the Interior Ministry reported that 300 police officers were attacked and injured. Police stations were also looted and burned during these demonstrations. In a recent incident on Thursday, a police station in Ndunyu, Nyandarua county, was reportedly torched by angry residents after a police officer allegedly shot a villager. Murkomen emphasized that such incidents cannot be allowed to continue unchecked.

Transport Chief Superintendent Kipchumba Murkomen has firmly refuted rumors that he was detained in Dubai with millions of dollars.

Speaking on Monday, Murkomen denied the allegations, calling them untrue and asserting that no one should be permitted to travel with such a large sum of money.

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From Sh900k Watch to Sh20k Ties – Murkomen Lists Pricey Possessions

“The alleged amount was USD 210 million, which is too enormous for a person to carry while traveling,” Murkomen stated on Obinna TV. “That would be about three or four truckloads of cash. To transport that amount of money, you’d need a whole section of a plane, and you certainly couldn’t pass through a hotel with it.”

He further clarified, “When they were saying I was arrested in Dubai, I was actually in Nairobi. Even when the president was being asked, ‘Do you mean Dubai, United Arab Emirates, or Dubai somewhere in Kenya?’ Let’s be more serious. I am used to fake news.”

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The CS added that the highest amount of cash he has ever brought into the country is roughly Sh2 million, while the most he has taken overseas is $10,000.

“Maybe Sh1.5 or 2 million… The most I have carried in my travels since I was born is about US$10,000, and only to countries where you know your card might decline.”

Murkomen insisted that he has faithfully fulfilled his promise to serve Kenyans and expressed pride in his integrity.

“In my two years in the Cabinet, not a single person has come forward to accuse me of corruption. When people feel sorry for me, I tell them there’s a silver lining in this discussion: nobody has accused me of corruption in two years,” he said.

“I am very proud of keeping my vow not to engage in corrupt activities and scandals.”

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed his ownership of several expensive items, addressing the public’s fascination with his luxurious possessions.

The CS, who has been under scrutiny for allegedly owning highly expensive items, clarified on Monday that some of the public’s estimates regarding his shoes and watch are exaggerated. However, Murkomen did acknowledge owning some of the priciest timepieces, including one worth Sh900,000.

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“The watch I wear is very expensive, to be honest. But it is not worth what people are speculating on social media. It was sold to me by a friend,” Murkomen said in an interview with Obinna TV.

“There are two watches that went viral on social media. The first one I bought was not as expensive as they claimed. The second one, a friend who saw the buzz on social media offered to sell me a Rolex at a third of the speculated price. He even allowed me to pay in installments.”

Murkomen also revealed that his most expensive shoes range between Sh70,000 and Sh80,000. Additionally, he owns a belt priced between Sh40,000 and Sh50,000.

“I don’t need two belts in two years; one quality belt is enough. Just buy one belt for Sh50,000 that is reversible with black and brown sides,” he said.

Regarding ties, Murkomen mentioned his collection ranges from Sh15,000 to Sh20,000 each.

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Murkomen Calls Out Reckless Drivers As He Plans Action Against Viral Video Of Passengers Hanging Out A Car Window

“In life, there are vanity items that you end up buying,” he remarked.

The CS acknowledged receiving concerns from Kenyans questioning his penchant for expensive items. He vowed to curb his luxurious spending to ensure he remains focused on his key responsibilities and accountable to the people he serves.

“I appreciate the comments from Kenyans questioning my expensive watches and shoes. It’s true, had I invested in the money markets to buy bonds, it might have earned interest,” he said.

“I want to tell all Kenyans who criticized me for wearing those watches that it is my weakness, and I am willing to correct myself. If a watch or shoe is going to distract the people I serve from the important tasks I must be accountable for, I have told my friends that the watches can stay.”

Two individuals who were observed perilously hanging from a speeding Mercedes-Benz along Mombasa Road have been apprehended, while the driver of the vehicle during the incident remains at large.

The detained suspects are currently being held at Capital Hill Police Station in Nairobi.

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Murkomen vows to take action after viral video of partygoers in Mercedes breaching the law on Mombasa Road

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen expressed deep concern over the incident and assured that necessary action would be taken, providing details about the car and its owner.

“We are deeply concerned, and a vigilant citizen has alerted us. We will take appropriate action,” stated the CS.

The two individuals were captured on video hanging out of the car window while it was being driven at high speed.

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The vehicle has been impounded at Nairobi Area Traffic Headquarters pending further legal proceedings.

The detained individuals are scheduled to appear in court today, Tuesday.

Hanging any part of the body outside a moving vehicle is considered a traffic offense, punishable by a fine of Sh1,000.

Passengers are required to wear seatbelts while the vehicle is in motion, and failure to do so can result in a fine of at least Sh500.

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen pledged on Monday to take decisive action regarding a motor vehicle filmed along Mombasa Road with two individuals hanging precariously.

The undated footage, now viral, sparked varied reactions across social media platforms.

The Transport CS reposted the clip on his official X account, admonishing the car owner for such reckless driving.

He questioned the audacity of the car owner to flout traffic regulations on the bustling Mombasa Road, speculating whether the stunt was intended to provoke him as the Roads Minister.

“Mr. James Gathogo Njeri, this is how your white Mercedes Benz KCX 959B class E-250 was being driven on Mombasa Road during one of those ‘where is the Minister’ moments. We are troubled, and a concerned citizen has alerted us. We will take necessary action,” Murkomen wrote on X.

Mr. James Gathogo Njeri this is how your car white Mercedes Benz KCX 959B class E-250 was being driven on Mombasa road in one of those “where is the Minister” moments. We are concerned and a responsible citizen has alerted us. We shall do what we must. pic.twitter.com/OmYcrGpEGT

— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) April 22, 2024

“We are concerned, and a responsible citizen has alerted us. We will take necessary action.”

In the clip, two individuals can be seen hanging from the back seat windows, seemingly enjoying themselves as the vehicle speeds along the busy road.

This incident follows shortly after Murkomen announced plans for a comprehensive crackdown on individuals disregarding traffic laws.

He outlined new measures aimed at reducing the rising number of road accidents in the country.

The measures come in response to a surge in road crashes, with school children accounting for a portion of the fatalities.

Addressing the media last week, Murkomen instructed the police and National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to intensify night patrols and random checks on major highways, particularly at black spots.

He attributed the spike in road accidents to reckless behavior, such as parking vehicles on highways, speeding, and failure to install speed limiters.

Recent data from NTSA indicates that over the past three months, at least 1,213 people have lost their lives on the roads.

Pedestrians accounted for the highest number of fatalities at 445, followed by motorcyclists at 285 and passengers at 259.

During the period between January 1 and April 3, motorcycle pillion passengers ranked fourth at 103, followed by drivers (99), and pedal cyclists (24).

These fatalities represent a 5.8% increase from 1,146 during the same period last year.

Last year alone, over 4,300 people lost their lives in road accidents, while the remainder, from the 22,885 involved in accidents, sustained life-altering injuries.