A senior police officer in Migori County was arrested after showing up intoxicated during an official security forum chaired by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
The incident occurred at the Migori Teachers Training College during a Jukwaa la Usalama meeting, where leaders and security officials had gathered to discuss pressing community issues. At around 4:00 pm, the officer was called out by the CS, who noticed he appeared to agree with everything being said without much thought.
When asked to introduce himself, the officer stated his name, the station he commands, and the challenges affecting the area, citing alcoholism tied to local brewers and cross-border supply as well as frequent disputes between communities. He further requested more officers to be deployed to his station.
However, Murkomen pressed him on whether police were effectively combating alcoholism and whether officers were drinking confiscated alcohol. The officer denied the allegations, responding that police never consumed exhibits. When asked about his own condition, he attributed his state to flu symptoms that made him appear intoxicated.
Police later subjected him to an alcohol blow test at the venue, which confirmed he was under the influence. He was immediately taken to Migori County Hospital for further medical examination before being placed in custody. According to police, the officer will face disciplinary action for being drunk while on duty and is awaiting additional administrative measures.
The exchange was captured on video and quickly circulated across social media, sparking public debate on professionalism within the police service. Many questioned how a senior officer tasked with supervising juniors could attend a high-level government event in such a condition.
During the forum, Murkomen emphasized the importance of Migori County in Kenya’s national development agenda, noting its strategic location, agricultural potential, and thriving fishing and mining sectors. He warned, however, that insecurity, alcoholism, and inter-community disputes were undermining growth and must be urgently addressed.
The officer’s arrest has reignited discussions about the conduct of law enforcement officers, with calls for stricter accountability and better support systems to address alcoholism within the service.
