After a brief seven-day hiatus, Kipchumba Murkomen, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, resumed his mission to enhance security across Kenya. His latest stop takes him to the Upper Eastern region, covering the counties of Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu. This marks the continuation of his nationwide security outreach through the Jukwaa la Usalama forums, which aim to engage local communities in finding solutions to security and development challenges.
Murkomen’s visit to Meru County, the first stop on this leg, is packed with key activities. He began with a security meeting with the county’s Security Committee before inspecting the ongoing mobile ID registration drive and the NACADA outreach campaign. The highlight of the visit will be his participation in the Jukwaa la Usalama town hall meeting at Kinoru Stadium, where community members, security personnel, local leaders, and business stakeholders will gather to discuss pressing security issues.
These forums have proven to be crucial in addressing county-specific security concerns. They provide a platform for citizens to air their grievances and for government officials to devise practical solutions. The CS has made it a priority to listen to the challenges faced by administration officers and security personnel in the course of their duties.
In Meru, cattle rustling along the Meru-Isiolo border remains a major concern. While previous security interventions have made strides in curbing the problem, Murkomen emphasized the need for intensified strategies to completely eradicate the menace. Land disputes along the Meru-Tharaka Nithi boundary also pose a significant challenge that will be addressed in the forums.
This visit marks the 10th Jukwaa la Usalama forum Murkomen has led, following successful engagements in the Coast and Lower Eastern regions. His efforts have already resulted in notable policy changes, such as limits on the duration security personnel can serve in operational areas and the provision of firearms to chiefs and assistant chiefs facing security threats.
As Murkomen continues to engage with local communities and security personnel, his approach is seen as a vital step towards improving security and governance across Kenya.
