Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has refuted claims that foreign troops are operating in Kenya, insisting the country is secure and urging leaders not to politicize national security.
“I want to once again reiterate that Kenya is safe and is under no threat whatsoever from any foreign force,” he said while addressing journalists on reports of alleged Jubaland troops in Mandera County.
He noted that the real challenge lies in terrorism. “The only constant threat we face is that of terrorist elements, particularly Al Shabaab,” he emphasized.
Speaking in Kakamega during his 36th Jukwaa La Usalama county tour, Murkomen clarified that occasional cross-border movements often involve civilians fleeing conflict.
“What we have always had from time to time are our neighbours running away from conflict to seek refuge, and there is a way of handling their return under established diplomatic protocols,” he said.
The CS cautioned senior politicians, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, and former Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i and Justin Muturi, against using the term “occupation” in reference to the situation.
“I have seen persons who have held senior positions in government, speaking recklessly about security matters. They are politicizing these issues, which is disheartening, especially considering they have previously sat on the National Security Council. They should not lie and jeopardize our country.” He said
Murkomen also appealed to the media to report responsibly. “I saw a section of the media report from schools in Mandera and so on. Did you see the foreign troops in those reports?” he posed.
“Our country is safe, very safe, and I insist very, very safe. We are not under occupation, and those who are just speaking in a very casual manner, occupation is a technical term that means a takeover by a foreign force on any part of Kenya. There is none, and there is nothing that is happening in the country that we don’t know,” he reiterated
