Nairobi: Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has reaffirmed the importance of public participation in strengthening governance, saying meaningful citizen engagement is essential in shaping reforms and safeguarding constitutional democracy. Speaking at the Trans Nzoia County Assembly in Kitale during the opening of the County Assembly Wellness and Committee Services Centre, Murkomen said public participation must be authentic, timely, and well-informed to enable citizens to contribute effectively to decision-making.
According to Kenya News Agency, the CS revealed that valuable concerns raised by the public during Jukwaa La Usalama Security Engagement Fora across the country are key in the ongoing security reforms and policy implementation. He emphasized that security is a shared responsibility between government and citizens and urged communities to work closely with security agencies while observing the rule of law.
He noted that security begins at the household level and highlighted the importance of collective efforts in maintaining national safety. The CS said issues raised during the fora included the resurgence of criminal gangs, drug and substance abuse among youth, and weakening community security structures. Murkomen revealed that the government had provided financial and administrative support to operationalize community peace-building committees across the country.
Furthermore, he addressed the shortage of security personnel through increased police recruitments and deployment. Murkomen assured that the presence of disruptive elements in public spaces would be mitigated with the upcoming deployment of graduating officers from training colleges.
On the subject of gender-based violence, the CS stated that the National Police Service had embarked on its largest recruitment and training programme for women officers to strengthen gender-responsive policing and improve services at police stations. He warned criminal gangs and their financiers, saying the government had intensified multi-agency operations to dismantle organized criminal networks.
Murkomen expressed concern over instances where suspects are released soon after arrest, stating such actions undermine efforts by security agencies to combat crime. He announced reforms targeting more than 5,000 chiefs and assistant chiefs to strengthen the national government administration and improve service delivery at the grassroots.
He urged county assemblies to continue enacting laws that promote accountability and institutionalize public participation in governance. Murkomen encouraged the County Assembly to make public participation a cornerstone of governance, highlighting that citizen views are integral to shaping legislation.
Lastly, ahead of the 2027 General Election, Murkomen assured Kenyans that the security sector is fully prepared to guarantee peaceful elections. He warned against fearmongering related to potential election violence, asserting that the government would not allow criminals or politically sponsored violence to disrupt peace.
