Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the government’s intensified security operations in the North Rift and parts of Turkana vowing to decisively end banditry and illegal possession of firearms despite mounting political pressure.
Speaking on Thursday during a Speaker’s Kamukunji meeting convened by National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula, the CS assured Members of Parliament that the ongoing crackdown targeting armed criminal networks along the West Pokot–Turkana belt will not be derailed by what he termed as “political noise.”
Murkomen disclosed that security agencies estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 illegal firearms are still in circulation within the volatile corridor, particularly after armed criminals fled operations in Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet and parts of West Pokot and regrouped near the Turkana border.
“We have already collected over 1,200 guns in Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet and parts of West Pokot. As we move towards Turkana, we expect not less than 3,000 guns to be surrendered,” he said.The CS acknowledged that the ongoing operation will be painful but necessary.
“When we do what we have to do, the noise will be unmanageable. But I am prepared for that. The Inspector General and the National Police Service are prepared. We will deal with this matter with finality,” Murkomen stated, adding that security reforms will not be sacrificed for political expediency.He alleged that some sponsors of banditry are politically connected individuals who finance the purchase of guns and ammunition, warning that arrests will expose powerful networks.
On inter-community tensions, Murkomen promised that the government will secure the West Pokot–Turkana border to ensure children “fight in classrooms with pens and books, not guns and bullets.”
The CS also clarified concerns raised by leaders from Turkana who accused him of sidelining them during a recent visit.
He explained that his trip to West Pokot was to launch a mass national identification card registration exercise and to meet security teams in Kainuk to plan operations, noting that a separate meeting with Turkana leaders on ID registration is scheduled in Lodwar.
On administrative reforms, Murkomen revealed that all gazetted sub-counties have been operationalized, with the ministry now focusing on divisions and locations, although financial constraints remain a major hurdle.
He said it would cost Sh2.2 billion to operationalize all pending administrative units.
He further assured MPs that the ministry is working with the Ministry of Lands to secure and document government land including police and immigration assets which he said have been grabbed in several towns such as Kitui, Kitale, Nakuru and Kisumu.
He called for collaboration including support through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) to fence and secure public assets.
On the controversial curfew in Lamu, Murkomen maintained that it has significantly stemmed insecurity and will only be reviewed once the security situation improves, particularly as the country approaches the election period.
“No inconvenience can be equated to loss of life,” he said, noting that past attacks along the Lamu corridor necessitated firm preventive measures.Addressing reports of tear gas being lobbed into a church in ACK Witima Parish in Othaya in which former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies were attending a church service, the CS stated that it is not government policy to defile places of worship.
He, however condemned politicians who attend events with armed goons escalating tensions.
“Churches are sacred places. They should never be defiled by politicians, whether supporting side A or side B,” Murkomen said, adding that investigations are ongoing to establish whether police officers or civilians were responsible for the incident.He assured MPs that those found culpable will face prosecution.
The CS also announced that village elders will begin receiving a monthly stipend of Sh3,000 in the new financial year following ongoing vetting and registration in recognition of their role in grassroots security.
Speaker Wetang’ula convened the Kamukunji session to allow lawmakers to raise security concerns directly with the Interior Ministry with members pressing for more police vehicles, operational funds and equitable administrative unit gazettement.
