Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has launched a decisive multi-agency operation to hunt down gang leaders in Bungoma County, signalling a firm stance against crime in the agriculturally rich region.

Announced via an X post on Thursday, September 4, 2025, the initiative targets political goons, land fraud perpetrators, and other criminal elements threatening the county’s security and stability.

Murkomen emphasised that the crackdown is politically neutral. “A multi-agency operation is underway to combat the persistent problem of political goons. The county security team, supported by officers from the head office, is pursuing gang leaders without any regard to political affiliation,” he stated, highlighting the government’s commitment to dismantling networks that have long exploited local power dynamics.

Restoring sanity

A significant focus of the operation is Mount Elgon National Park, where illegal grazing and logging have endangered the fragile ecosystem. Murkomen said, “To protect this gem, we are embarking on a multi-agency operation to flush out criminals operating from the forest.”

The operation also extends to distributors of illicit alcohol and ethanol, with Murkomen warning, “We are zeroing in on distributors of ethanol who will soon be arrested to answer for their offences.”

Land fraud and defilement are also high on the agenda. The Interior CS pledged strict action against complicit officials, noting, “Any Lands officers found to be abetting fraud will be dealt with firmly according to the law.” He further directed police chiefs and assistant chiefs to prioritise justice for defilement cases, saying perpetrators should be “put through the justice system and not settled out of court.”

Modernising the police service

While spearheading the crackdown, Murkomen is also driving reforms within the National Police Service. At the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong, he introduced maternity uniforms, stating, “Future police uniforms should include maternity dresses for female police officers.” These changes, part of broader NPS reforms following the 2025 killing of blogger Albert Omondi, include digitising services and improving station infrastructure.

Murkomen urged officers to embody honesty, diligence, and patriotism, tying the reforms to a vision of community-focused policing.

With security operations now extending to Busia County to curb smuggling, Murkomen’s dual focus on crime control and officer welfare signals a new era in law enforcement, balancing tough action with a commitment to modernisation and inclusivity.