Murkomen sends strong warning to gangs in Kisii-Narok border clashes
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen addresses the public at Kiango border on Friday, March 14, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Three people have have so far died and several others injured with hundreds of acres of sugarcane and other crops destroyed.
- Mr Murkomen said it has been established that the use of illegal drugs and illicit brews was contributing to crime in the area.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered security agencies in the Rift Valley and Nyanza regions to deal decisively with emerging criminal gangs that he says are behind the compromised security along the Kisii-Narok border.
Mr Murkomen said a joint operation would tame incidences of cattle theft that often ignites tribal clashes at the Kilgoris- Bomachoge Borabu border.
"I have instructed security officers from both sides of the border to work jointly and flush out the criminals," Murkomen said.
The CS spoke as he held a security meeting at Kiango, which has been the fighting hotspot from time to time.
Although the clashes have subsided for the past one week, tension has remained high.
The animosity was ignited by the theft of cows from the Kisii side sparking skirmishes between youths armed with crude weapons.
Three people have have so far died and several others injured with hundreds of acres of sugarcane and other crops destroyed.
Criminal gangs
Mr Murkomen said the DCI and the police in the area should not relent until security is restored in the troubled area.
"Lack of jobs should not be excuse for young people to engage in criminal activities," he said.
The CS said it has been established that the use of illegal drugs, including bhang, and illicit brews was contributing to crime in the area.
"The criminal gangs must be dismantled for our people to have peace," said Mr Murkomen who was accompanied by Education CS Julius Migos and other leaders.
He instructed security officers to expose those who grow, sell or consume the illegal drugs.
"We will eventually catch up with those who sell the drugs to school and college students," he said.
The CS also instructed the Deputy Inspector of Police, Eliud Lagat, to mobilise his officers in the government's efforts to restore law and order in the area.
Engage in dialogue
On his part, Mr Lagat asked residents to uphold the law, even as they engage traditional methods to resolve disputes.
"Even as you use elders to solve intercommunity conflicts, remember those who break the laws of the land must be arrested and prosecuted," he said.
He also asked communities to be at the forefront in exposing criminal elements in their midst for them to enjoy long-lasting peace.
CS Migos said criminals should be treated as individuals and not as the communities.
"Avoid revenge and engage in dialogue as well as other legal channels to resolve disputes," Mr Migos said.
Also present was the the Majority Leader in the National Assembly and South Mugirango MP, Silvanus Osoro, Bomachoge Borabu MP Obadiah Barongo and Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli.
Kisii County MP Doris Aburi and her Narok counterpart Rebeca Tonkei, as well as nominated senators Essy Okenyuri and Gloria Orwoba also attended the meeting.