TANA RIVER, Kenya – The government is exploring the possibility of arming chiefs in frontier and banditry-prone counties as part of a broader strategy to enhance local security and counter attacks from criminal groups, including Al-Shabaab extremists.
The proposal comes as the Interior and National Coordination Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, evaluated the security situation in Tana River County, an area often plagued by both banditry and extremist threats.
Murkomen’s visit included a directive to immediately transfer security personnel in the region.
His decision followed concerns that some officers and administrators had remained stationed in the same posts for up to eight years, far exceeding the mandatory transfer period.
The prolonged stays have reportedly contributed to low morale and inefficiency among security officers, hindering effective response to escalating security challenges.
The security crisis in the region was underscored by a brazen daytime ambush in Elwak, Mandera County, where suspected Al-Shabaab militants kidnapped local chiefs—officials who are central to maintaining order and ensuring the safety of civilians in volatile areas.
This attack was one of several incidents targeting local administrators, highlighting the growing risks faced by officials in areas affected by extremist violence.
In response, Murkomen called for arming chiefs in specific locations, particularly those where persistent attacks are a grave concern.
“Corners in the frontline where we have established that chiefs are under imminent and persistent attack should have their chiefs armed. They will undergo another training at the APTC,” the CS remarked, referring to the Administration Police Training College.
During a security assessment forum known as the Jukwaa La Usalama Security Assessment Baraza, over 250 officers stationed in Tana River County raised concerns about the long tenures they had endured, many reporting that they had been posted in the same areas for extended periods.
Officers indicated that the lack of rotation was detrimental to morale and performance, with some officers serving up to 14 years in hardship areas.
Murkomen responded with a directive for the immediate transfer of police officers who had served in Tana River for more than three years.
We are fully committed to delivering service to Kenyans fairly and equitably without leaving any region behind.During our 5th Jukwaa la Usalama town hall meeting today in Hola, Tana River County, we pledged to redouble our efforts to resolve resource-related conflicts and
He emphasized that the officers should not be moved to other operational areas but should instead be reassigned to less challenging postings, ensuring they receive relief from the harsh conditions they had endured.
The local population in Tana River also shared their concerns, citing ongoing challenges such as boundary disputes, tribal conflicts over leadership roles, and the adverse effects of climate change, including floods and famine.
The scarcity of natural resources like water continues to fuel tensions, further complicating efforts to maintain peace in the region.
Additionally, the region has witnessed increasing exploitation of government initiatives, such as the online registration exercise for national identification documents.
Residents have been leveraging the opportunity to obtain essential documents, including IDs, passports, and birth and death certificates, amid the backdrop of rising insecurity.
