Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Communications Director Philip Etale has thrown his weight behind the ongoing community-based security initiative dubbed Jukwaa la Usalama, emphasising the need to tackle insecurity from the grassroots level.

In a strongly worded statement shared via his official X account on the night of Friday, July 18, 2025, Etale underscored that the country’s security challenges cannot be solved solely by state agencies.

Instead, he argued, communities must play an active role in ensuring their own safety.

“Jukwaa la Usalama is a good initiative. Insecurity must and should be addressed right from the smallest village in the country. Usalama kwa wote MUST be guaranteed,” Etale stated.

He further called on Kenyans to take personal and collective responsibility in identifying and flushing out criminals operating within their communities.

“Citizens, too, must be ready to ensure their own safety by smoking out criminals from their midst,” he added.

Jukwaa la Usalama, which loosely translates to “Security Forum,” is a collaborative platform bringing together community members, local leaders, and security personnel to share information, address local threats, and promote peace.

Etale’s remarks come at a time when several parts of the country—including informal urban settlements and remote rural areas—have reported a spike in crime, ranging from petty theft to organised gang activity.

Govt’s intervention

Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a series of government interventions aimed at restoring peace and security in Samburu County, where residents continue to grapple with banditry and cattle rustling.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page following a Jukwaa la Usalama town hall meeting held in Samburu on July 18, 2025, Murkomen acknowledged that despite ongoing security operations, significant challenges persist due to a combination of factors.

He attributed the persistent insecurity to poor road networks, proliferation of small arms from neighbouring countries, low network coverage, land conflicts, and boundary disputes.

“Samburu County still faces banditry and cattle rustling challenges despite intensified security operations. This is owing to poor road networks, proliferation of small arms from neighbouring countries, low network coverage, land conflicts, and boundary disputes,” Murkomen stated.