BARINGO, Kenya — The government is set to strengthen long-term security in Kerio Valley with plans to establish permanent police and military facilities, including a training centre modelled on the renowned Kiganjo Police Training College.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the initiative marks a shift from emergency responses to a sustained security presence in the region, which has been plagued by armed banditry for years.
“As part of our efforts to make the peace we are seeing now permanent, we shall be establishing permanent security installations of different kinds—an operational base for some of the formed units and a training ground. Just as people go to Kiganjo, they must also come to Kerio,” Murkomen said.
He spoke on Thursday during a visit to the Todo KDF Camp in Kolowa sub-county, Baringo County, where officers operating under the multi-agency Operation Maliza Uhalifu are stationed.
Murkomen was joined by Deputy Inspector-General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat, Deputy Inspector-General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, and other senior officials.
During the visit, Murkomen praised officers for maintaining discipline while operating in challenging terrain and highlighted the impact of security operations over the past six months, including the seizure of over 1,000 illegal firearms—a move that has significantly reduced bandit activity and allowed communities to resume normal life.
Preparations are underway to identify land for the proposed training facility, which will serve both police and military units deployed in the region.
“The President, through the National Security Council, has directed that we establish training bases here in Kerio Valley so that this becomes part of a permanent security solution,” Murkomen said.
While most areas have stabilised, Murkomen noted recent security concerns in Turkwel and Kainuk linked to mining activities and criminal networks. Authorities have already intensified operations in response.
Operation Maliza Uhalifu was launched in February 2023 following a surge in livestock thefts, armed raids, and killings that had displaced families, disrupted schooling, and left communities living in fear.
