Murkomen: Government committed to restoring peace in Kerio valley

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to fully restore peace and stability in the Kerio Valley region, citing significant progress in ongoing security operations that have steadily reduced incidents of banditry and insecurity.

Speaking during a community empowerment programme at Emsea in Keiyo South Subcounty, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said calm had gradually returned to the region, enabling residents to resume normal economic and social activities under enhanced security surveillance.

Murkomen noted that the government’s multi-agency security interventions had yielded positive results, but cautioned that the gains could only be sustained through continued cooperation between security agencies and local communities.

He emphasised that the government’s security agenda extends beyond Kerio Valley to other insecurity prone areas across the country, including parts of Samburu County, where some armed criminals are reportedly hiding in areas of Sarolipi and Mkokodo forest.

“We do not want Kerio Valley alone to be safe. We want the whole country to be secure and free from banditry and criminal activities,” he stated.

The CS made a strong appeal to individuals still in possession of illegal firearms to voluntarily surrender them to the authorities without delay, warning that the government would firmly deal with those involved in the illegal arms trade.

“Those who are selling firearms and bullets, if we find you in any corner of the country, we will deal with you because we want our country to be safe,” he said.

Murkomen also placed individuals involved in the sale of illegal firearms and ammunition on notice, reiterating that the government would not relent in dismantling criminal networks threatening public safety and stability in the region.

Murkomen further announced plans to operationalise all gazetted locations and sublocations in Keiyo South Subcounty, in a move aimed at decentralising services and enhancing access to government services at the grassroots level.

Speaking during a youth empowerment programme held in Emsea, Soy North Ward, Murkomen said the government had taken note of residents’ concerns regarding the vast administrative units that have made service delivery difficult in some areas.

Murkomen said the operationalisation of the newly gazetted administrative units would bring government services closer to the people and improve coordination of security and development programmes within the region.

“We have heard all your pleas for new locations and sub-locations, and we will operationalise them,” he said.

The CS noted that some of the existing administrative units in Keiyo South are geographically expansive, making it difficult for residents to efficiently access government services and for administrators to effectively coordinate public service delivery and internal security operations.

He further revealed that Soy North and Soy South wards would also undergo administrative division to ease management and improve accessibility of services to residents.

According to Murkomen, Chepkorio Ward is also set to be subdivided owing to its large size and growing population, which has continued to exert pressure on the existing administrative structure.

“The objective of the government is to ensure its citizens have access to services conveniently without travelling long distances. Strengthening local administration will also enhance public participation, security coordination and implementation of government programmes,” he said.

The CS observed that the establishment and operationalisation of additional locations and sub-locations would facilitate faster response to security matters, improve efficiency in the issuance of government services and enhance interaction between citizens and administrators.

Residents who attended the event welcomed the move, saying the creation of new administrative units would address long-standing challenges associated with poor accessibility and delayed service delivery in remote areas of Keiyo South.