Talking to a former high-ranking security official this morning in the wake of unflattering newspaper headlines regarding the performance of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, his quick take was that the docket is largely a thankless one.

His explanation was that on a day-to-day basis, there is a lot a CS for Interior does that goes unreported but contributes to the safety and security of citizens. To him, insecurity incidents are given disproportionate attention, hence distorting the public perception of the holder of the office.

From the foregoing, it is axiomatic that the docket is more about effectiveness than spectacle. For a more accurate appraisal of the office-bearer, broader metrics should therefore be applied.

I’m not privy to the granular details of what Murkomen does behind the hallowed doorways of Harambee House but his social media updates and coverage in the media paint a clear picture of the man, his work ethic and his vision. From the gleanings, it is possible to weigh his performance against the demands of his role.

In security, responsiveness is the sine qua non. From his days in Transport, this is Murkomen’s strongest armour and must have strongly recommended him for his current job. We have not experienced major security incidents this year but the CS has led response from the front in situations that demanded his presence.

When members of the Dassanech militia attacked Kenyans in the Todonyang area of Turkana County in February, the CS was able to arrive in the area just a day after to coordinate the search and rescue of missing compatriots. He is only the second Interior CS to visit the area in over a decade. This was despite the insecurity that was still prevalent in the area and poor communication.

In March, he visited the Kisii-Narok border to kick off the peacekeeping process following inter-community clashes in the area. Responding to requests from the leaders of the two communities, he operationalised a police patrol base in the area and the local chief’s office in a record three days. Before travelling to any trouble spot, the CS usually meets local leaders alongside National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and security officials. A textbook case of effective security management.

Another key facet of effective homeland security management is proactive interventions. This includes a new police unit called the National Government Administration Police Unit, whose officers support NGAOs in enforcing government policy and when undertaking risky operations such as the fight against illicit brews and peacekeeping assignments, and deplying 10 new mine-resistant-ambush-protected vehicles to bolster security operations in banditry-prone areas.

The relationship between the Legislature and most Interior CSs has historically been tetchy. Murkomen easily bucks the trend. He responds to summonses from the two Houses of Parliament and requests for statements on time. He has convened members of the Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations of both Houses to ensure close collaboration. In such a meeting recently, he discussed various policy and legislative proposals aimed at streamlining the operations of National Police Reservists and formulating guidelines on the establishment of new administrative units.

He has a good working relationship with his colleagues in the Cabinet and jointly executes assignments that require inter-ministerial partnership. He is a big proponent of the whole-of-government approach and works closely with agencies within and without his ministry. It is instructive to note that there have not been any reports of friction between the CS and senior officials in his ministry, powerful as they may seem. This is indicative of a sound team player.

Murkomen evidently puts a premium on synergy between the various agencies, sections and departments in his ministry. Last month, he held a workshop in Naivasha that brought together senior officials in the ministry with a mission to better understand each other’s role and how best to collaborate for better service delivery. He is also keen on motivating his officers, having famously said he will protect security personnel from unfair treatment even in courts. One highly circulated video on TikTok shows him sharing a Christmas meal with security personnel in the Kerio Valley last December.

Lastly, it takes an effective communicator to deliver at this level. Murkomen is as eloquent as they come and deploys social media to great advantage. He has enough natural talents to succeed in this role and higher. He has brought a lot of energy and nimbleness to the office. The irony in life is that those with the best qualities are subjected to the most unfair of tests. On the flip side, that sets diamonds apart.

— The writer is an Associate Professor of Literature at the University of Nairobi and an advocate of the High Court of Kenya;