Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo has defended the government’s handling of Kenya’s security situation, saying the country is significantly safer today compared to when the current administration took office in 2022.

This comes even as authorities intensify operations targeting criminal gangs and politically sponsored violence.

Speaking amid growing national debate over insecurity and politically-linked unrest, Omollo said the government inherited a country facing widespread criminal activity ranging from muggings in Nairobi’s Central Business District to banditry in the North Rift and terrorism threats.

“Is the security situation any better than when I came into office? The answer is yes,” Omollo said on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

“When we took over, there were muggings and all manner of incidents happening right within the Nairobi CBD. We faced the challenge of banditry in the North Rift, alongside pressure and challenges from terrorism. To a greater degree, by working with everyone across the security sector under the leadership of His Excellency the President and my Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, we have stabilized the security situation across the board.”

The PS avoided engaging directly in ongoing political exchanges over insecurity but maintained that there is broad consensus that Kenya’s security environment has improved.

“I don’t want to get into the political back-and-forth about who is saying what, but I think we can all agree there is a significant improvement in our country’s security posture,” he added.

His remarks come at a time when the government has faced mounting criticism over rising cases of violent gangs, politically sponsored youth violence and attacks linked to demonstrations in different parts of the country.

Omollo, however, argued that what is commonly described as “goonism” is not a new phenomenon in Kenya but a longstanding social and economic problem tied to youth unemployment and vulnerability.

“The challenge of goonism is a historic issue in Kenya, not a new one,” he said.

“Our population is young, and they need opportunities like jobs and education. Under President Ruto, the government is deliberately addressing this by creating openings through the Nyota program, labor mobility initiatives, and affordable housing.”

Omollo said the responsibility of addressing youth criminality extends beyond government and requires collective action from families, communities and political leaders.

“We all share a responsibility, as parents and leaders, to keep our youth meaningfully engaged,” he said.

At the same time, he warned politicians against exploiting unemployed youth for criminal activities and political violence, saying security agencies had already launched targeted operations in parts of the country.

“Where politicians exploit vulnerable youth for criminal activities, we must act,” he said.

“Our ministry is already taking steps; following the Jukwaa la Usalama report, we are currently conducting operations in Western Kenya, including Trans Nzoia, to identify criminal elements, and we are expanding this exercise nationwide.”

The Interior Ministry has recently increased security crackdowns in several regions amid concerns over organised criminal groups, politically mobilised gangs and rising incidents of violence linked to local political contests.

The government has also intensified anti-banditry operations in the North Rift, where authorities say insecurity had disrupted livelihoods, displaced families and undermined economic activity for years.

Under President William Ruto’s administration, security reforms have focused on coordinated multi-agency operations, deployment of additional personnel in insecurity hotspots and investments in surveillance and intelligence-led policing.

However, rights groups and opposition leaders have continued to raise concerns over police conduct during protests and the handling of politically sensitive security operations.

Despite the criticism, Omollo maintained that the government remains committed to restoring stability while creating economic opportunities aimed at reducing the vulnerability of young people to criminal recruitment.