Murkomen's Coast security tour uncovers deep-rooted challenges in six counties

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s six-day whirlwind tour of the Coastal Region last week provided an eye-opener on the security challenges facing the region and the bottlenecks hampering service delivery.

The town halls, dubbed Jukwaa la Usalama- Pwani Edition- convened Assistant Chiefs, Chiefs, Commissioners, security personnel, leaders, youth, the business community, civil society, and grassroots representatives.

Held across Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Tana River, and Taita Taveta counties, the campaign sought to gather public input on pressing security and governance challenges.

To set the tone, the CS urged the gathering in the first town hall session at the Mombasa KMA Amphitheatre to freely air their concerns, promising that the deliberations would inform future policy.

“This is not a mere talking shop. Don’t ask what we have brought you. What is more important is what we will take from these meetings," he said.

Across the six counties, eight key issues emerged.

The menace of juvenile gangs, entrenched land disputes, visible marginalisation, and rising boundary tensions.

Also highlighted were resource-based conflicts worsened by climate change, rampant gender-based violence, under-resourced and demoralised security officers, and bold policy pronouncements by the CS himself.

In Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi, leaders decried the terror unleashed by juvenile gangs.

Murkomen condemned the exploitation of youth by politicians and vowed tough action.

In Kilifi, land fraud and invasions, particularly by groups like 'Team Mashamba', were flagged with the CS promising to engage the Ministry of Lands and Judiciary to resolve the issues.

In Tana River, the CS was visibly taken aback by the dilapidated County Commissioner’s office, pledging funds for a modern complex in the next financial year.

Boundary disputes and encroachment were also raised, with Murkomen assuring leaders that a Cabinet report would be tabled to guide new delimitation laws.

Communities in Tana River, Lamu, and Taita Taveta pointed to rising conflict due to droughts and floods.

The CS proposed stronger local peace mechanisms, animal corridors, and streamlined land use planning.

Gender-based violence, including early marriages and sexual abuse, was reported as widespread.

In his address, Murkomen ordered security agencies to crack down on offenders and called for political leaders to break their silence on the issue.

Security personnel raised concerns over poor working conditions.

Acknowledging the challenges, the CS said plans were underway to lease 5,000 vehicles and recruit 10,000 officers.

With six counties covered, the Jukwaa la Usalama caravan now heads to the Eastern Region this week.