Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has lauded Corporal Winfred Gacheri Kinoti following her recent promotion from a police constable after three years’ service as the only female officer in Mukodogo forest.

In a post on his official X account on Thursday, February 19, 2026, Murkomen noted that her promotion was among the National Police Service efforts to strengthen and motivate service men and women working in operational areas

“In our efforts to strengthen and motivate our service men and women working in operational areas, the NPS has promoted Corporal Winfred Gacheri Kinoti from the rank of constable,” Murkomen said.

CS Murkomen presided over the promotion ceremony alongside Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja during the security and citizen service assessment in Nanyuki, Laikipia County

“Together with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, presided over the promotion ceremony during our security and citizen service assessment in Nanyuki, Laikipia County,” Murkomen added.

According to Murkomen, Winfred has served for the past 18 years, with the last three years as the only female officer at the Mukogodo forest.

He further affirmed his commitment to encouraging all the service men and women as they continue to serve the country, especially in banditry-prone areas.

“Corp. Kinoti has been in the service for 18 years and has been working in Mukogodo forest for the last three years as the only female officer. Congratulations, Corporal. We remain committed to encouraging our service men and women as they continue to serve our country, especially in banditry-prone areas,” he stated.

Mukodogo forest operation

His remarks come just two weeks after the government launched a special intelligence-led, multi-agency security operation to restore peace and stability in Mukogodo Forest and surrounding areas along the Laikipia–Isiolo border, following a resurgence of isolated banditry incidents.

Murkomen announced the operation on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 after chairing a high-level security consultative meeting in Kurum, Laikipia North, attended by security agencies, local leaders, community representatives, and other stakeholders.

The operation will involve multiple security agencies working jointly and will be driven by actionable intelligence aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating in the area.

According to the Cabinet Secretary, the key objectives of the operation include apprehending bandits and their accomplices, recovering illegal firearms and ammunition, retrieving stolen livestock, and restoring law and order in Mukogodo Forest and its environs.

“Even as we consolidate the gains made in restoring peace and security across the Kerio Valley and Northern Kenya, a few isolated insecurity incidents have been reported in parts of the region, including Mukogodo along the Laikipia–Isiolo border,” Murkomen said.

“We are launching a special intelligence-led, multi-agency operation to secure Mukogodo Forest and its environs, with the objective of apprehending the criminals and their accomplices, recovering illegal firearms and ammunition, stolen livestock, and restoring law and order in the area,” he added.