Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is expected to start his weeklong tour of the coastal region to assess security.

The CS is expected to assess ongoing security operations targeting gangs, including Panga Boys and Al Shabaab operatives.

Murkomen will also gauge the level of disaster preparedness in the face of climate change. In the past two weeks, detectives have arrested more than 150 suspected members of Panga Boys linked to attacks in parts of Mombasa and Diani.

Two suspected Al Shabaab terrorists were also arrested. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), one of the suspects is an ex-convict and is said to have been in communication with terror cells in Somalia and Tanzania.

The second suspect was found carrying explosives in a bus at the Likoni Crossing, according to the police.

Lamu visit

Murkomen will visit Lamu, where Al Shabaab terrorists camped and lectured locals two weeks ago. He is expected to visit all six coastal counties, where he will engage leaders, regional and county security teams, National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and peace committees on strategies to enhance security, peace and cohesion.

“The CS and his team will also gauge the level of disaster preparedness in the face of rising climate-change-driven extreme weather conditions. He will also get feedback from wananchi on their satisfaction with citizen services,” the ministry’s communication team said.

 He will also interact with security personnel in the front line against land and maritime threats and do a spot check of the mobile ID registration rollout.

The CS has in the past month visited parts of Turkana, Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu and Meru as part of eforts to address sporadic cases of cattle rustling. During his visit, he announced the establishment of a new police command, the second Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) in Laikipia County.

According to the CS, OMU Two will have its command Centre in Kirimon in Laikipia County tasked to deal with the emerging crimes in the troubled areas, restore peace and normalcy.

The new operation will cover Samburu, Laikipia, Isiolo and parts of Meru counties. This is a joint operation of the National Police Service and Kenya Defence Forces to deal with banditry and restore security targeting North Rift counties .