Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a bold government initiative targeting youth involved in banditry, offering them a pathway out of violence through vocational training and scholarships. The program, unveiled during the Jukwaa la Usalama tour in Baringo on Saturday, seeks to balance firm security measures with rehabilitation opportunities.
Murkomen emphasized a dual approach in addressing the chronic insecurity in the North Rift region intensifying crackdowns on armed criminals while creating a viable exit strategy for young bandits willing to disarm. “We are focusing on the entire ecosystem, those who carry guns, those who sell them, and those who fund the violence,” he said.
Acknowledging the socioeconomic challenges that fuel banditry, Murkomen noted that many of the perpetrators are teenagers driven by poverty, poor education, and neglect. “Some of these young men are just 15 or 16 years old. They are victims too,” he observed.
The CS revealed that those who surrender their weapons will be enrolled in technical and vocational training programs in trades such as masonry, plumbing, and electrical installation. These skills align with government projects like the Affordable Housing Programme, opening employment pathways for reformed youth.
“The government, through agencies like the NG-CDF, will provide scholarships to ensure these youth get a second chance,” Murkomen said. “Surrender your guns, surrender your ammunition. Exchange them for pens, for training, for a new life.”
However, Murkomen also warned that those who defy the offer will face a sustained and aggressive security operation. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring peace, particularly in hard-hit counties like Elgeyo Marakwet.
“Our message is clear: lay down your arms and walk the path of peace, or face the full force of the law,” he stated.
Speaking on the recent murder of Catholic priest Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett, Murkomen declared that those responsible will be brought to justice. “There is nowhere to run. Surrender to the police if you still want to live,” he warned.
He assured residents that he will not be intimidated in his mission to bring lasting security to the region.
