[PHOTOS] Murkomen celebrates X-mas with officers in Baringo

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Officers from a multi-agency security team in Baringo welcomed an added touch of festive cheer this Christmas when Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen joined them in the heart of the volatile region.

In a rare show of appreciation, Murkomen spent part of Christmas Day with the officers stationed at the nTodo Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Camp in Kolowa Sub-County, where he shared a meal and exchanged goodwill messages with the men and women restoring security in the area.

The visit brought smiles, laughter and a sense of encouragement to officers who often spend the festive season away from their families while on duty.

Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat, Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, and other senior government officials, accompanied Murkomen.

The leaders praised the officers for their resilience, discipline and dedication in carrying out operations under difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions.

The officers, in turn, expressed appreciation for the support and recognition from the government, noting that the visit boosted morale and reaffirmed the importance of their mission.

Many described the presence of the Cabinet Secretary and top security chiefs as a powerful gesture of solidarity during a season traditionally associated with family and togetherness.

The team forms part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU), a multi-agency security initiative launched by the government to tackle banditry, cattle rustling and other forms of organised crime, particularly in parts of the North Rift and neighbouring regions.

For years, these areas have grappled with insecurity that has disrupted livelihoods, displaced families and stalled development.

Operation Maliza Uhalifu brings together the Kenya Defence Forces, the National Police Service, the National Police Reservists and other security agencies in a coordinated approach aimed at restoring lasting peace.

The operation focuses on flushing out armed criminal groups, recovering illegal firearms and dismantling the networks that fuel banditry and violent crime.

Beyond enforcement, the operation also emphasises intelligence-led policing and community engagement.

Security agencies work closely with local leaders and residents to gather intelligence, address grievances and rebuild trust between communities and the State.

Murkomen reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting officers on the frontline, noting that peace and stability were essential for development to take root.