Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to gangs in Vihiga County, highlighting the alarming shift of formerly harmless social groups into serious security threats. Notable among these gangs are Breakable Boys, Nduthi Culture, and 42 Brothers.
Speaking at the 37th Jukwaa la Usalama town hall meeting at the County Commissioner’s residence in Vihiga, Murkomen said these groups were initially formed around economic activities but are increasingly engaging in criminal acts that threaten community peace.
“While these groups began as social and economic networks, they are now evolving into security threats,” Murkomen said. He noted that unlike gangs in other regions, those in Western Kenya are spreading beyond urban centers into rural areas, raising serious security concerns.
To tackle the menace, Murkomen announced that additional police officers would be deployed in Vihiga and surrounding counties. He urged residents to report gang activities, stressing that public cooperation is essential for restoring law and order.
He also warned that gangs from neighboring counties, such as 47 Brothers in Busia, could influence security in Vihiga. Murkomen said he plans to visit Kisumu next week to assess the regional security situation and coordinate preventive measures.
The town hall, the final county engagement in the Western Kenya region, brought together leaders, MPs, county officials, and residents who shared concerns and proposed solutions for security and service delivery. Among the attendees were Governor Wilber Ottichilo, Deputy Governor Wilberforce Kitiezo, and MPs Ernest Kivai and Charles Gimose.
Murkomen was accompanied by senior officials, including Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli, Principal Administrative Secretary Beverly Opwora, and Western Regional Commissioner Irungu Macharia.
He concluded by urging residents to summon courage in speaking out against gangs. “The government can deploy resources, but community involvement is crucial to restore peace in Vihiga,” Murkomen said.
