Murkomen outlines new measures to tackle insecurity in Samburu
By Cy Muganda, July 18, 2025Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a series of government interventions aimed at restoring peace and security in Samburu County, where residents continue to grapple with banditry and cattle rustling.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page following a Jukwaa la Usalama town hall meeting held in Samburu on July 18, 2025, Murkomen acknowledged that despite ongoing security operations, significant challenges persist due to a combination of factors.
He attributed the persistent insecurity to poor road networks, proliferation of small arms from neighbouring countries, low network coverage, land conflicts, and boundary disputes.
“Samburu County still faces banditry and cattle rustling challenges despite intensified security operations. This is owing to poor road network, proliferation of small arms from neighbouring countries, low network coverage, land conflicts and boundary disputes,” Murkomen stated.
New interventions
To address the insecurity, Murkomen announced that the government will scale up operations across Samburu and the wider Kerio Valley belt.
He further stated that plans are underway to increase the number of police stations and posts in the region in the 2026/2027 financial year, as well as operationalise gazetted administrative units—starting with Samburu West—in the coming weeks..
“To stabilise the security situation, we will scale up security operations in the county and the entire Kerio Valley belt. In the next Financial Year, we will also increase the number of police stations and police posts. In the next few weeks, we will operationalise gazetted administrative units, starting with Samburu West,” he announced.
Additionally, Murkomen pledged continued support for ongoing peace-building efforts, which he stressed are crucial for breaking the cycle of violence.
“The government will also fast-track the tarmacking of the Maralal-Baragoi road and support ongoing peace-building initiatives,” he added.
Key achievements
The Interior CS highlighted some achievements, noting that the recovery of stolen livestock has improved and incidences of urban robberies have been contained.
However, he emphasised that long-term stability would require more robust and coordinated efforts.
“Recovery of stolen livestock is successful, and urban robberies have also been contained. Interventions by our security personnel have borne fruit, but a lot of work remains to be done,” Murkomen stated.
The CS was joined at the town hall by Samburu Governor Jonathan Lelelit, Deputy Governor Gabriel Lenengwesi, and local MPs, including Steve Lelegwe (Senator), Eli Letipila (Samburu North), Jackson Lekumontare (Samburu East), Pauline Lenguris (County MP), and Nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian.
Senior national security officials were also in attendance, including Internal Security PS Dr. Raymond Omollo, Devolution PS Michael Lenasalon, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Deputy IG of the Administration Police Gilbert Masengeli, GSU Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni, and Secretary Administration of the National Police Service Bernice Lemedeket.
County Commissioner John Cheruiyot and other senior government officials also participated in the security forum.