Kipchumba Murkomen led the Jukwaa la Usalama forum to Upper Eastern, taking a crucial step in addressing security and development concerns. The initiative began in Meru County with discussions alongside the county’s security committee. The agenda included reviewing the mobile ID registration exercise and the NACADA outreach campaign.
The forum tackled key county security challenges. Cattle rustling along the Meru-Isiolo border affects seven counties: Igembe North, Mutuati, Igembe Central, Tigania East, Tigania West, Buuri East, and Buuri West. Participants explored strategies to eliminate the problem, emphasizing intensified interventions. Additionally, they addressed longstanding boundary and land disputes between Meru and Tharaka Nithi, stressing the need for urgent solutions.
A broad spectrum of stakeholders attended the forum, including National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), security personnel, local leaders, business representatives, and youth.
“These forums provide a platform to discuss county-specific security and development concerns while exploring solutions. They also allow the CS to hear about the challenges administration officers and security personnel face daily,” a statement from Murkomen’s office highlighted.
Murkomen introduced several policy shifts. Security personnel will not serve in operational areas for more than three months. Chiefs and assistant chiefs facing threats will receive firearm licenses, and each sub-county will have two principal chiefs. Officers approaching retirement can transfer to stations of their choice. Land disputes will be escalated to the National Security Council for policy direction.
The Meru County forum marked the tenth such engagement, following similar meetings in the Coast and Lower Eastern regions. This interactive approach to security and service delivery management has already driven meaningful policy changes.
