Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen/PCSInterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said the passing out of new General Service Unit (GSU) officers will strengthen the National Police Service’s capacity to secure the country ahead of and during the 2027 General Election.
Murkomen made the remarks on Friday during the 50th passing-out parade of GSU recruits at the National Police College, Embakasi Campus, Nairobi.
He congratulated the new officers and urged them to uphold discipline and integrity as they begin their careers in the National Police Service.
“With their passing out, the NPS is now better equipped to secure our nation, including ahead of and during the general election,” Murkomen said.
The CS also outlined reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to improve the capacity and effectiveness of security agencies.
Murkomen cited the Operation Maliza Uhalifu campaign in the Kerio Valley, saying it had reduced banditry and cattle rustling in the region.
He said communities in the affected areas had resumed normal activities, with children returning to school, homes being rebuilt and markets reopening.
“In these operations, up to 3,000 illegal firearms and 8,000 rounds of ammunition have been recovered or voluntarily surrendered,” Murkomen said.
The government has also deployed Advanced Mobile Response and Protection Systems, drones, protective gear and other specialised equipment as part of efforts to modernise policing, he said.
Murkomen said the ministry had institutionalised the Jukwaa La Usalama programme as a framework for involving communities in security management.
“We undertook a tour of all the 47 counties under the Jukwaa La Usalama programme to hear for ourselves the security and service delivery challenges Wananchi are undergoing and to discuss with them the best way to resolve them,” he said.
He said county security committees had been directed to involve groups including traders, boda boda operators, religious leaders, business people and young people in local security management.
Murkomen also announced measures targeting drug and alcohol abuse, including the transformation of the Anti-Narcotics Unit into the National Anti-Narcotics Investigations Bureau.
On police welfare, the Interior CS said more than 138,000 police and prison officers and their dependants had been enrolled under the Usalama Cover through the Social Health Authority.
He added that 4,473 officers who had stagnated in rank had been promoted on merit.
The government has also been replacing the National Police Service fleet, with 1,175 vehicles replaced over the past year.
Another 2,232 vehicles are scheduled for replacement within the next three months, while 1,200 electric vehicles are expected to be delivered by the end of the year.
Murkomen said the reforms were intended to improve the ability of officers to respond to security threats and serve communities.
He urged the new officers to serve Kenyans with dignity, discipline and integrity as they take up their duties.
