Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen plants a tree at the North
Eastern regional commissioners office./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen inspects a guard of honor mounted
by police officers in Garissa./STEP{HEN ASTARIKO
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said the country has made significant progress in restoring peace, stability and normalcy in Northeastern Kenya.
Speaking to the press in Garissa on Thursday, after a closed-door meeting with top national and regional security chiefs, Murkomen said the region is largely calm with no major security incidents.
“I am happy to note that a lot of good progress has been done by our country and I thank our security teams for working as a team. Our multi-agency security teams are working with the community to ward off terrorism threats and contain inter-clan and communal conflicts,” he said.
He also thanked residents for playing their part in safeguarding the region. “I want in a very special way to appreciate the community for sharing information with security agencies and for working together to protect our country,” he added.
The region has endured years of attacks by the Al-Shabaab militant group, leading to loss of many lives, including those of security officers. The education sector has been among the worst affected, with non-local teachers fleeing due to insecurity, resulting in a decline in learning standards.
Murkomen, who spoke during the final day of his Jukwaa la Usalama tour, said human and drug trafficking remain key challenges. He revealed that the government will expand security operations from Moyale to Wajir to dismantle criminal networks involved in trafficking.
“To deal with this and the related problem of gun and drug smuggling, we shall extend the ongoing operation on the Moyale side to Wajir to dismantle the criminal networks,” he said.
He also announced that NACADA will open an office in Wajir within 30 days to intensify efforts against drug abuse in the region.
Murkomen pointed to infrastructure projects such as the 749-kilometre Isiolo–Modogashe–Wajir–Kotulo–Rhamu–Elwak–Mandera road as vital in boosting security. Militants have previously planted IEDs along roads, often targeting security officers.
“When this road is complete, it is going to reduce cases of insecurity by a big margin. Response time will improve, and the planting of IEDs by the enemy along the roads will come to an end,” he said, adding that security is being provided to contractors to ensure timely completion.
He was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, DIG-APS Gilbert Masengeli, DCI Director Mohamed Amin, GSU Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni, Principal Administrative Secretary Beverly Opwora, Secretary for Internal Security Thomas Saka and IPOA chairman Issack Hassan.
Other officials included North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno, Regional Police Commander Pepita Ranka, Regional AP Commander Abdi Argamso, County Commissioner Karuku Ngumo and other senior officers.
