Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has responded to claims by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen regarding the controversial Kitengela rally, asserting that he had properly notified authorities about upcoming events.
Speaking on Thursday, February 19, during a parliamentary session, Sifuna stated that he had informed Murkomen of the planned Kakamega rally this weekend via WhatsApp, in addition to circulating the notice in the Senate WhatsApp group, where Murkomen remains a member as a former senator.
“Since Murkomen remains on the Senate WhatsApp group as a former senator, I have shared the notice for the Kakamega rally both in the group and directly to his personal WhatsApp number, so he cannot later claim he was unaware of the event, as he did with the Kitengela rally,” Sifuna said.
This response follows Murkomen’s statement on Wednesday, February 18, claiming that the Kitengela rally held on February 15 had not been reported to police, a lapse he said contributed to security concerns.
During the Kitengela event, police deployed teargas, bringing the rally to an abrupt end. Murkomen also alleged that organisers targeted market day to attract crowds and brought in outsiders to cause chaos—claims denied by Sifuna and other rally organisers.
Instead, they accuse the government and police of responsibility for the violence, which reportedly left one supporter dead and several injured.
Under Kenya’s Public Order Act, organisers must notify the police in writing at least 3 days, but no more than 14 days, before holding any political rally.
Separately, the DCP party issued a letter on Thursday to Inspector General Douglas Kanja, notifying him of their intention to visit his office on February 20, signaling continued political engagement and oversight.
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Politics