Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji is at the heart of a plan to initiate an impeachment motion against Interior Cabinet Minister Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen over the preposterous shoot-to-kill directive.
Backed by Members of Parliament allied to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), the plot has gained secret support even among legislators openly confessing to be working with the government.
While addressing a prayer and fundraiser for Akurino Church at Embu University grounds on Saturday, Mukunji said Murkomen had overstepped his mandate and firm action should be taken against him.
“This Parliament must stand firm. The Interior Cabinet Secretary has overstepped his mandate by issuing unconstitutional directives that endanger lives. We cannot sit back and watch,” said Mukunji.
Mukunji accused CS Murkomen of perpetuating extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances, alleging that such actions have become a hallmark of the Kenya Kwanza administration. He called on Parliament to exercise its oversight role and protect Kenyan lives and freedoms.
Mukunji also regretted that while the motion should garner majority support the Executive had a stranglehold on Parliament and some lawmakers would actually stand to protect the CS.
“Let’s be honest, Parliament has largely been captured. But we must try,” he said, resolutely.
Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia threw his weight behind the impeachment calls, saying Murkomen acted outside his legal mandate.
“The CS has no authority to order police to shoot and kill. Such orders violate the Constitution and must be condemned,” Kaguchia said.
The MPs also alleged that the violent scenes witnessed during last Wednesday’s protests were orchestrated by the State to paint the youth as criminals and justify a crackdown.
The CS told the police: “Mtu yeyote atakaribia police station piga yeye risasi… Mtu mwenye anaenda kuiba bunduki, abembelezwe?” “Bunduki sio mandazi!”
The CS was, however reported on to have recanted his words claiming he had been misquoted and his well-intentioned advice to the police to protect themselves blown out of proportion.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Interior CS said his directive was in line with Section B(1) of the National Police Service Act, which allows officers to use firearms in self-defence or in the defence of others from imminent threats of death or serious injury.
Among those who have expressed shock at Murkomen’s shoot-to-kill order are former university don and Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana who lectured Murkomen at law school. Kibwana openly posted that he was ashamed of having taught Murkomen law.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, in a live interview described the CS as “a young, excited CS full of himself because of money and power.”
Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen is a living testament to the moral corrupt-ability of power having been, at one time, among Kenya’s most focused Senators.
Hansard records indicate that Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen has always stood up for constitutionality and the rule of law, until he rose to be an all-powerful minister reputed to be among members of President Dr William Samoei Ruto’s kitchen cabinet.
Leave a Reply