By Swaleh | Friday, 16 May 2025 – 3:30 PM
Nairobi – The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has strongly rebuked Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen following his remarks that suggested the violence at the party’s launch on Thursday, May 15, was triggered by a dispute over handouts among supporters.
The DCP has labeled these claims as “reckless” and “misleading,” asserting that the real cause of the violence was an orchestrated attack by state agents aimed at suppressing their political rise.
The party’s launch, which was held at the DCP headquarters and led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, was marred by chaos after the event. Videos shared on social media show gunshots being fired into the air, leading to panic among attendees.
DCP Responds to Murkomen’s Allegations
In a statement released shortly after Murkomen’s comments, the DCP emphasized that the violence had nothing to do with disputes over handouts. Instead, the party accused the government of intentionally staging the disruption to hinder their growing influence in Kenya’s political landscape.
“We categorically reject Murkomen’s baseless allegations. What occurred was not a result of handouts, but a deliberate attempt by state agents to sabotage our political activities,” the party said in a statement.
The DCP’s leadership stressed that the attack was a clear violation of political freedoms and accused the state of using violence to maintain control over opposition movements.
Murkomen Defends Government’s Actions
In response, Murkomen maintained the government’s position, stating that the organizers of the event, including Gachagua’s team, had not informed the police about the launch. The Interior CS blamed the lack of coordination for the security lapse that led to the violent outbreak.
“Had the event organizers followed proper protocol and informed the police, the unfortunate incident could have been avoided,” Murkomen remarked. He further suggested that the violence was the result of inadequate security arrangements on the part of the DCP.
Political Fallout and Growing Suspicion
The exchange between Murkomen and the DCP has fueled further political tensions in Kenya, with many questioning whether the violence was part of a broader strategy to undermine political opposition. The DCP, which has been gaining traction as a significant political force, now finds itself at the center of a larger debate about political freedoms and the role of state security agencies in protecting or stifling opposition parties.
As the DCP continues to assert its position in the political arena, the growing divide between the government and opposition parties seems to be intensifying, raising concerns about the stability of the nation’s democratic processes.
