Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has vowed to intensify efforts against child abuse and the distribution of illicit substances in Kisii County and the broader Western Kenya region.

The CS made the statement on his official X account following the Jukwaa la Usalama forum held in Kisii on Friday, September 12, 2025.

“Sexual abuse of children by people entrusted with their care is rampant in Kisii County, just like in the Western Kenya Region,” Murkomen said, highlighting the scale of the problem.

He stressed that many cases remain concealed by relatives, making detection and intervention more challenging.

Murkomen emphasised that tackling the issue requires collective effort. “It’s a social ill that will take a whole-of-society approach to root out, as most of the cases are concealed by relatives,” he said.

As part of the strategy, the CS has directed administration officers to intensify barazas across counties. These community meetings will focus on sensitising residents about child abuse, raising awareness of reporting mechanisms, and encouraging community members to report perpetrators to authorities.

Illicit substance

Murkomen also addressed the problem of illicit brews and drugs, which he described as long-standing threats to the safety and well-being of residents. “Crackdown against illicit brews and drugs will be enhanced to net the big players who, for a long time, have flooded this county and the region with harmful substances,” he said, signalling a targeted approach to dismantle the networks behind these illegal activities.

The CS’s statement comes as part of broader discussions during the Jukwaa la Usalama forum, which brings together government officials, security agencies, and community leaders to discuss pressing safety and security issues affecting the region.

Murkomen’s comments underline the government’s focus on protecting vulnerable groups, particularly children, and ensuring that the supply of dangerous substances is curtailed. By engaging community leaders through barazas and leveraging local reporting mechanisms, authorities aim to strengthen prevention and enforcement efforts.

The CS highlighted that coordinated action between administrative officers, law enforcement agencies, and communities is critical in addressing these issues effectively. Through continuous monitoring and targeted operations, the government intends to hold perpetrators accountable and reduce the incidence of child abuse and illicit substance distribution in Kisii and across Western Kenya.