Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced plans to construct security roads in bandit-prone grazing zones in Meru County as part of intensified government efforts to curb insecurity and restore stability across affected areas.

Speaking at Destiny Live Centre Church in Athiru Rujine, Igembe Central, on Sunday, May 10, 2026, Murkomen said the roads will improve access for security officers in areas that have remained difficult to reach for years due to poor infrastructure and terrain.

Security roads and anti-banditry operations

“We are planning to open up security roads in grazing zones to enable security officers to access areas that have remained inaccessible, used by the bandits for years,” Murkomen said.

The CS linked insecurity in Meru to armed criminals crossing from neighbouring Laikipia, Samburu and Isiolo counties. He revealed that approximately 3,000 illegal firearms remain in the hands of criminals, adding that the government was adopting a systematic approach to end the attacks.

Murkomen said the state would strengthen the Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) programme and establish police training camps in affected areas to support local operations.

He added that poor infrastructure, weak communication networks and inadequate social amenities had contributed to the persistence of banditry.

The Interior CS disclosed that the government plans to recruit more reservists but warned that some KPR officers had previously collaborated with criminals. “We shall conduct thorough vetting to ensure only competent and honest officers are recruited to serve the people,” he said.

Youth involvement and security measures

Murkomen noted that many individuals involved in banditry are youths aged between 17 and 29 years, saying the government must address underlying social and economic challenges affecting young people in the region.

“It is unfortunate that young boys are the majority of those engaging in banditry. We must address the social and economic challenges facing them to win this fight,” he said.

He urged herders to graze livestock within designated areas and follow approved routes to improve surveillance and assist security officers in monitoring movement within grazing fields.

The CS also announced that a new police station would be constructed in Athiru to strengthen security operations in the area.

Murkomen was accompanied by Igembe Central MP Dan Kiili, Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi and Meru Woman Representative Elizabeth Kailemia.

The leaders rallied residents to support President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, saying the Kenya Kwanza administration had initiated key development projects in the region.

Mwirigi said the government had made progress in sectors including health, housing, infrastructure and trade, while Kiili said cooperation between President Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki had brought renewed development momentum in Mt Kenya East.

Murkomen also assured miraa farmers that the government was working to improve transportation infrastructure and expand export markets, including Somalia, to support the region’s economy.