Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said that key among the security challenges facing the larger Western region of Kenya are gangs and defilement.

Addressing journalists on Friday evening, September 6, 2025, on the Jukwaa la Usalama tour of counties, Murkomen said the initiative continues to unravel invaluable insights into security and service delivery challenges affecting citizens and possible strategies to resolve them nationwide.

Murkomen was speaking ahead of the conclusion of Jukwaa la Usalama Western tour on Saturday, September 7, 2025. ”Gangs, alcohol and drug abuse, as well as defilement, are the key security challenges we are grappling with in the region.” The Interior CS said.

“I call on leaders and the community to cooperate fully with us as we deploy a special team to support the regional security officers in dealing with these challenges. I also appeal to the media, especially vernacular stations, to report responsibly and refuse to be channels of incitement,” he added.

Insecurity in Kakamega

Stressing the issue while in Kakamega County on Friday, September 6, 2025, Murkomen said the particular devolved unit is an important contributor to Kenya’s economy and food security with vibrant sugar, horticulture, livestock, and fisheries sub-sectors.

However, Murkomen said insecurity is preventing the county from fully exploiting its economic potential.

“The most significant of which is the insecurity posed by gangs and goons. Unlike any other county in Kenya, where the problem is confined to urban areas, the problem in Kakamega County is prevalent both in rural and urban areas,” he added.

“Politicians, illicit brews and drugs fuel the problem. We will deploy a special security team to reinforce the regional team in dismantling gangs and goons in the Western Kenya Region. We shall also convene a regional leaders meeting to discuss how to stamp out the menace once and for all. I want Jukwaa la Usalama to be remembered for ending gangs and political thuggery in this region.”

The former Roads and Transport CS also announced that Kakamega is one of the leading counties in the production of chang’aa in the country, stating that the consumption of illicit brews is fueling social ills such as defilement and other crimes.

Murkomen’s sentiments come amid an ongoing national crackdown on the production and sale of illicit alcohol in the country.