MOMBASA, Kenya — The government has intensified its grassroots security campaign, directing National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) to strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance community policing and crack down on drug trafficking, organised crime and violent extremism.
Speaking during a meeting with National Government Administrative Officers in Mombasa, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo said the Coast region, particularly Mombasa, remains critical to Kenya’s economic growth because of its strategic role as the country’s principal maritime gateway.
He said safeguarding security in the county is essential for protecting trade, tourism, investment and the wider national economy.
“Mombasa is one of Kenya’s most important economic hubs. Whatever happens here affects not only the Coast region but the entire country. We must therefore safeguard peace and security to create an environment where businesses thrive, investments grow, tourists visit and our people access economic opportunities,” said Dr Omollo.
Crackdown on Drug Trafficking
The Principal Secretary directed County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs and Village Elders to work closely with security agencies and local communities to dismantle organised criminal networks and combat drug trafficking.
He described drug and substance abuse as one of the greatest threats facing young people, warning that traffickers continue to exploit vulnerable youth for financial gain while undermining families and communities.
Dr Omollo called for closer collaboration between communities, the National Police Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Judiciary, schools, religious leaders and parents to strengthen prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation efforts.
He urged grassroots administrators to identify drug hotspots and support intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting trafficking networks.
Strengthening Grassroots Administration
The PS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to progressively operationalising all gazetted administrative units, saying effective service delivery and security begin at the village level.
He noted that Village Elders, Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs have become integral to the country’s security architecture through community policing, the Nyumba Kumi initiative, conflict resolution and mobilisation of citizens for government programmes.
According to Dr Omollo, National Government Administrative Officers also play a broader role in coordinating government services, resolving disputes, responding to emergencies and supporting the implementation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
He stressed that peace and security remain the foundation upon which key government priorities—including agriculture, affordable housing, healthcare, the digital economy, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the Blue Economy—can succeed.
Education and SHA Registration
On education, Dr Omollo said the government has allocated Sh787.4 billion to the education sector in the current financial year—the largest allocation in the national budget.
He urged administrators to continue working with schools, parents and the Ministry of Education to improve school enrolment, retention and skills development through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
The Principal Secretary also commended Mombasa County for attaining 83 per cent registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA), describing it as one of the country’s best-performing counties.
He said the achievement demonstrates the value of collaboration between the national government, county governments and the Ministry of Health in expanding access to affordable healthcare.
Push for National ID Registration
Dr Omollo further instructed National Government Administrative Officers to intensify the registration and collection of National Identity Cards to ensure all eligible Kenyans can access government services and economic opportunities.
“I urge all our County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs and Village Elders to ensure that no eligible Kenyan is left behind in acquiring a National Identity Card. The document enables Government to plan effectively while empowering wananchi to access opportunities and participate fully in national development,” he said.
He noted that the government recently engaged leaders from across the Coast region to address challenges affecting the issuance of identity cards, adding that the success of the exercise depends largely on the commitment of officers at the grassroots.
Dr Omollo concluded by commending National Government Administrative Officers for their professionalism and dedication, assuring them of continued government support through improved facilitation, capacity building and operational resources.
The meeting was attended by Coast Regional Commissioner Paul Rotich, Mombasa County Commissioner Mohammed Hassan, and members of the Regional and County Security Intelligence Committees.
