Interior and Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has taken his Jukwaa La Usalama initiative to Mount Kenya East region in an effort to boost security and eradicate illicit brews and drugs.
He will visit Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi in three days tour in an effort to get feedback on security challenges in the counties from residents, national government administration officers and elected leaders.
Murkomen first toured Meru on Wednesday and addressed the press outside Meru County commissioners’ office in North Imenti constituency.
He said the Jukwaa La Usalama Initiative engages local leaders to make sure they boost security in grassroots.
“Our objective is to listen to the grass root leaders and access the security situation in the counties and challenges faced by the security team and agree on suggestion on the way forward,”he said.
He said for many years Meru has been faced with challenges of cattle rustling which leads to the killing of civilians, injuries and also stolen livestock.
“In the last two years, a lot of work has been done in Meru in order to deal with banditry with the assistance of improved security equipment and strategies,” Murkomen said.
He said most bandits who invade Meru come from neighbouring counties of Samburu and Isiolo to cause havoc.
“There has been a significant drop of banditry in the county due to the eleven formed up police units and the establishment of new police stations in the boundary within the counties. We are aware the banditry problem hasn’t been completely eliminated,” he said.
He said to eliminate banditry, they will boost infrastructure and have proper vetting and deployment of national police reservists.
Murkomen said some police reservists were trained but deserted duty while others have been involved in vices such as drug trafficking and cattle rustling.
He said Meru like other counties has boundary challenges with Isiolo and Tharaka Nithi counties noting a task force recommendations have not been implemented.
“We also have the conflict between herders and farmers between Meru and Isiolo,” he said.
He said that Jukwaa La Usalama has helped him deal with security challenges that he had anticipated as they have been able to solve so many problems.
On security lapses to VIPs following the killing of Kasipul MP Charles Were and hurling of a shoe to President William Ruto in Migori county, Murkomen affirmed that the perpetrators of MP Were killing of which some have been arrested will face the full force of the law.
“There are always criminals trying to do many things contrary to the law but our security officers remain on high alert and try as much as possible to improve,” he said.
The cabinet secretary said that Meru residents seeking greener pastures in North Eastern counties where there is insecurity should follow government security protocols in order to make sure they are safe.
