Murkomen Confirms Investigations into Illegal Teargas Use at Opposition Rallies
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has addressed claims by opposition figures alleging that the government is behind teargas attacks during political rallies. Speaking during a security briefing in the North Rift, Murkomen confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine how the canisters ended up in civilian hands.
“It is possible that we have tear gas canisters in the wrong hands because, in some instances, even where police presence was not, we’ve seen teargas has been used in rallies,” he stated. Murkomen emphasized that the incidents had occurred even in areas where police were absent, raising concerns about how civilians obtained the chemical agents.
According to the CS, the Inspector General of Police has launched investigations to clarify whether civilians were in possession of the teargas or if there was collusion involving security officers. Murkomen added that the canisters used by civilians were identical to those that had previously failed to detonate when deployed by police for crowd control. He also suggested that there might be third parties distributing teargas illegally.
“I can tell you for sure it is not police officers who are using those teargas, and they are not used under the command and the direction of the police officers who are in command,” he added.
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Murkomen’s statements come amid heightened tensions between the National Police Service and opposition leaders, who have been trading accusations over violent incidents at political events.
On January 25, 2026, chaos erupted at the Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri, during a service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and several opposition figures. Armed individuals, some reportedly wearing hoods, stormed the church, firing live rounds and lobbing teargas canisters into the sanctuary.
The fumes caused a stampede among congregants, including infants and the elderly. Gachagua’s personal vehicle was set ablaze, and several other cars in his convoy were destroyed. Opposition leaders have described the incident as a state-sponsored assassination attempt, while government officials claim the violence may have been orchestrated to garner political sympathy.
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The Witima incident is part of a broader pattern of political unrest in 2026. Earlier this month, a rally in Embu led by Kalonzo Musyoka was disrupted by police using teargas to disperse crowds over alleged security concerns. A similar scenario occurred in Mombasaandoffs.
In Kitengela, a rally led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was also targeted by police. As Sifuna addressed attendees about the rising cost of living, officers deployed heavy teargas volleys, forcing participants to seek cover in nearby shops. Businesses along the Namanga Highway temporarily shut down due to the chaos.
As the investigations continue, Murkomen assured the public that authorities are committed to identifying those illegally supplying teargas and holding them accountable, reinforcing that police are not implicated in the misuse of the chemical agents.
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Murkomen Confirms Investigations into Illegal Teargas Use at Opposition Rallies
