Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has outlined a raft of security reforms and equipment upgrades ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying the National Police Service is now better positioned to respond to security threats before and during the polls.
Speaking on Friday at the General Service Unit (GSU) graduation ceremony at the National Police College, Embakasi ‘B’ Campus, Murkomen cited improved policing capacity, officer welfare measures and multi-agency operations as evidence of the government’s efforts to strengthen national security.
“The National Police Service is now better equipped to secure our nation, including ahead and during the General Election,” he said.
Kerio Valley operations
Murkomen singled out the Kerio Valley as a major test of the government’s security strategy, crediting multi-agency operations under Operation Maliza Uhalifu with restoring calm in areas previously affected by banditry.
“Four years ago, insecurity was tearing apart communities in the Kerio Valley region. But thanks to Operation Maliza Uhalifu multi-agency operations, normalcy has returned,” he said.
According to Murkomen, security agencies have recovered or received the surrender of about 3,000 illegal firearms and 8,000 rounds of ammunition.
He said the security gains had allowed children to return to school, homes to be rebuilt and economic and social activity to resume.
The figures cited by the CS were not independently verified. Security conditions in parts of the wider region have also remained a concern, with periodic incidents of banditry reported in neighbouring counties.
Promotions, medical cover and new vehicles
Murkomen also highlighted measures aimed at improving the welfare and operational capacity of security personnel.
He said 4,473 officers who had stagnated in rank had been promoted, while more than 138,000 police and prison officers had been enrolled in the Usalama Cover medical scheme under the Social Health Authority.
On equipment, the CS said the government had replaced 1,175 police vehicles over the past year, with another 2,232 vehicles scheduled for replacement within three months.
He also pointed to the expansion of the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau, which he said had received 208 additional officers.
“Major crackdowns across the country have been undertaken, leading to the arrest of drug traffickers as well as suppliers, brewers and sellers of illicit alcohol,” Murkomen said.
The government has previously faced criticism over delays in implementing police welfare measures. The latest announcements have not been accompanied by a publicly available independent audit assessing implementation of the reforms.
Election security
With the 2027 General Election less than a year away, Murkomen also highlighted the Jukwaa La Usalama programme, which he described as a community-based, bottom-up approach to policing.
“Security is better managed bottom-up, rather than a top-down approach,” he said.
He disclosed that 700 newly recruited National Police Reservists were undergoing training in Meru County as part of efforts to expand security capacity at the community level.
Murkomen also announced plans to transform the Kiganjo police training college into a police university, a move he said would strengthen professional training within the service.
Addressing the graduating GSU officers, he urged them to uphold discipline and professionalism.
“Go out and serve with dignity, discipline and integrity,” he said.
The remarks come as political parties and security agencies begin positioning for the 2027 electoral period. Opposition leaders had not responded to Murkomen’s claims by the time of publication.
Human rights organisations have in previous election cycles raised concerns over alleged abuses by security agencies, including during protests and political demonstrations.
The government has rejected allegations of systematic abuse and maintained that security agencies operate within the law.
