Cabinet Secretary (CS) for the Interior and National Administration, Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen, has found himself at the centre of public backlash. This is after recently making controversial “shoot-to-kill” comments directed at individuals who approach police stations under suspicious circumstances. The statement sparked strong reactions across the country, with calls demanding that he be struck off the Roll of Advocates, a serious charge for someone with a long legal and political career.

Murkomen has steadily risen through the ranks of politics. Prior to his current post, in 2022, he was appointed the CS for Roads, Transport and Public Works. In 2024, he was transferred to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports.

Before joining the Cabinet, Murkomen served three terms as Senator for Elgeyo-Marakwet County. He was first elected in 2013 on a United Republican Party (URP) ticket and quickly rose to become Senate Majority Leader. In 2017, he was re-elected under the Jubilee party but lost the majority leadership in 2020 to West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio following internal party shifts.

In the 2022 general elections, he won the senatorial seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, defeating former governor Alex Tolgos by over 141,000 votes. He resigned from the Senate shortly after to take up his Cabinet role.

Before running for office, Murkomen was a political analyst on Citizen TV, where he provided commentary on national issues in the lead-up to the 2013 general elections, building a strong public profile. He holds a law degree from the University of Nairobi (UoN), which he graduated from in 2004. While at university, he chaired the National Students Executive Council of the Fellowship of Christian Unions. He earned a Master of Laws degree from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He pursued further studies at the American University Washington College of Law in the United States.