Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has embarked on a high-level security and development tour across Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu counties, beginning with engagements in Meru on Wednesday. The tour is part of the ongoing Jukwaa la Usalama townhall forums interactive public meetings aimed at addressing county-specific security and service delivery issues.
Murkomen’s itinerary in Meru County began with a closed-door session with the Meru County Security Committee. This was followed by a field visit to monitor the ongoing mobile ID registration exercise and the NACADA outreach campaign, aimed at addressing drug and substance abuse challenges.
A key feature of the day was the Jukwaa la Usalama townhall held at Kinoru Stadium. The forum brought together stakeholders from across the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) hierarchy from Regional Commissioners to Assistant Chiefs—as well as local leaders, youth representatives, and the business community.
In Meru, Murkomen focused on the persistent issue of cattle rustling along the Meru-Isiolo border, which continues to affect seven sub-counties: Igembe North, Mutuati, Igembe Central, Tigania East, Tigania West, Buuri East, and Buuri West. Despite some progress, Murkomen acknowledged that current strategies must be enhanced to completely eliminate the menace.
He also highlighted the recurring boundary and land disputes between Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties, pledging stronger policy interventions to resolve these long-standing issues.
This Meru forum marks the tenth Jukwaa la Usalama session since the initiative launched, with previous forums held in the Coast and Lower Eastern regions. According to Murkomen, the innovative format has already led to significant policy changes. Among them is the directive that no security officer will be stationed in volatile areas for more than three months, and that chiefs and assistant chiefs facing personal threats may be licensed to carry firearms.
Additionally, he announced the deployment of two Principal Chiefs per sub-county and the transfer of security personnel nearing retirement to stations of their choice. Land disputes will now be escalated to the National Security Council for policy-level resolution.
The CS continues his campaign in Tharaka Nithi and Embu counties later this week.Murkomen tharaka nithi meeting
