County Assembly Sergeants-at-Arms are set to undergo paramilitary training to enhance security for Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) and legislative premises, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced.

Speaking during the 3rd National Conference of Sergeants-at-Arms held in Machakos County on March 27, 2026, CS Murkomen highlighted the crucial role these officers play in safeguarding legislative chambers across the country.

“I understand there are challenges with budgetary allocations, but we can explore ways of working together to ensure Sergeants-at-Arms in our county assemblies undergo paramilitary training,” the CS stated.

He also acknowledged existing financial constraints but stressed the importance of equipping officers with skills to handle emerging security threats.

The training will also include Sergeants-at-Arms in the Senate and National Assembly who have not yet received specialised preparation, aiming to establish a uniform security framework for all legislative institutions in Kenya.

Strengthening collaboration and security

CS Murkomen directed county security teams to co-opt County Assembly Sergeants-at-Arms into their regular security meetings.

“Sergeants-at-Arms at the County Assemblies should work closely with county security teams and be included in County Security Committee meetings,” he said. He emphasised closer collaboration between Parliament, county assemblies, and national security agencies to ensure adequate protection.

The announcement follows the June 25, 2024, invasion of Parliament, which Murkomen described as “one of the lowest points in our recent history.”

He said the incident exposed vulnerabilities in Kenya’s democratic institutions and served as a wake-up call. “If such a thing happens to a county assembly, there is need for us in this forum to prepare and imagine such scenarios,” he noted, highlighting the persistent risks to county legislative bodies despite enhanced security at the national Parliament.

Protecting the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms

Murkomen underscored that threats to legislative institutions now extend beyond physical confrontations to include misinformation, cyber risks, and procedural manipulation. He called for legislative amendments to safeguard the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms from political interference.

“We must introduce legislative measures that protect Sergeants-at-Arms and make it punitive for Members to use force to achieve their objectives,” he said.

He also warned officers against participating in irregular acts. “Do not participate in unlawful processes such as switching off microphones or CCTV to manipulate proceedings. Stand firm. The law must protect you,” Murkomen advised.

He urged stakeholders to implement concrete reforms, noting, “Institutions outlast individuals. The systems we build today will protect future generations and uphold democracy.”

The initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to professionalise security within Kenya’s legislative bodies, combining paramilitary training, improved inter-agency coordination, and legal safeguards to prevent a repeat of the 2024 parliamentary invasion and respond to evolving security challenges.