Kipchumba Murkomen has directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to ensure that all chiefs and assistant chiefs serving in border regions are armed by December 2025. The directive was issued on Monday, September 22, during a Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Mandera County.
Murkomen explained that the move is part of the government’s wider efforts to shield local administrators from extremist groups and criminal gangs. He added that chiefs who are already proficient in firearm usage will be armed immediately, while those unfamiliar will undergo mandatory training before receiving their weapons.
“By December, all chiefs in need of firearm protection should be armed. Those who do not require training should be issued firearms without delay,” Murkomen stated.
The CS noted that relative calm had been restored in Mandera following the deployment of a multi-agency security team, which has been instrumental in managing tensions along the Ethiopia and Somalia borders. Despite this progress, challenges such as cattle rustling and sporadic cross-border conflicts remain.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif acknowledged that while inter-tribal clashes had reduced, the county still struggles with livestock theft, which continues to undermine local stability.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja, who attended the forum, urged residents to work hand in hand with chiefs and security officers in combating insecurity.
“Security is a shared responsibility. We need close collaboration between security agencies and the community,” Kanja said.
Beyond arming chiefs, Murkomen also announced plans to recruit and incentivise more National Police Reservists (NPRs) to consolidate recent security gains. He further revealed that the government is finalising a vehicle leasing deal to boost mobility for officers, alongside providing modern technology to enhance operations and improve police welfare.
The push to arm chiefs and NPRs gained urgency after an incident in March 2025 when armed militants stormed Mangai village in Lamu County, preached to residents, and left without resistance — highlighting the vulnerability of rural administrators.
