Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to public servants including police officers, chiefs, and assistant chiefs, threatening immediate dismissal for those who chant political slogans or resort to mocking nicknames for the president while on duty.
Speaking in Narok on Monday, Murkomen emphasized the constitutional breach of such conduct, grounded in both legality and propriety.
“There is no chief, assistant chief or police officer who will be tolerated when found speaking ill of the Government because it is unlawful and unconstitutional,” he declared.
“If any security officer or public servant insults the president, gives him nicknames such as ‘Kasongo,’ or chants ‘one term’ that public servant should be sacked immediately.”
The CS described these chants as a form of partisan sloganeering that violates the oath of office public officers have sworn to uphold.
“I’m not saying this only because of this government, but also for any that comes after it,” he asserted.
“If you choose to serve in public service, you must respect the government of the day. When it comes to voting, no one will prevent you from choosing whoever you want, but you cannot participate in campaigns while serving.”
He stated that anyone who chooses to serve in public office must respect the government in place, regardless of political preference.
The CS noted that while every citizen has the right to vote in private, public servants must refrain from participating in campaigns.
He said they should instead focus on understanding and implementing the policies of the government of the day.
His remarks follow recent cases of some police officers taking to their social media pages to publicly criticise the government, including the president.
One of the officers has, however, been dismissed from the service after he allegedly opposed government directives.
He is said to have defied orders on the Saba Saba protests.
Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, who had also become a vocal critic of the government, even skipping cabinet meetings, was dismissed in May.
President William Ruto described him as someone who was ‘fairly incompetent’.
