NAIROBI, Kenya – The Jukwaa la Usalama Pwani Edition, launched on April 8, 2025, in Mombasa, brought critical security challenges facing coastal Kenya to the forefront.
The forum, led by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, highlighted pressing issues such as violent extremism, youth radicalization, drug abuse, gender-based violence (GBV), youth unemployment, and infrastructure gaps in security response.
The event marked a significant step in the Kenya Kwanza administration’s efforts to embrace citizen-driven dialogue as part of a broader strategy to reform security governance across the country.
As part of President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Jukwaa la Usalama seeks to redefine how security is managed in Kenya by shifting from a purely enforcement-focused approach to one that prioritizes community involvement.
This platform encourages direct citizen participation, fostering mutual accountability and long-term collaboration between citizens, security agencies, and government officials.
During the forum, several key security concerns that have long affected coastal communities were raised.
Violent extremism and youth radicalization emerged as major challenges.
With the region’s youth increasingly vulnerable to extremist ideologies, the government has committed to implementing community-based counter-radicalization programs to steer young people away from violence and crime.
In addition, the escalating drug and substance abuse crisis was addressed through the formation of the Coast Region Anti-Narcotics Task Force, aimed at tackling the rampant drug trade in the area.
Murkomen emphasized that these task forces would be essential in curbing the flow of illicit substances and providing a safer environment for the community.
Another critical issue was land disputes, which have fueled insecurity in the region.
In response, the government proposed the creation of a Special Land Dispute Resolution Taskforce to mediate conflicts over land tenure and provide legal remedies for affected communities.
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant issue in coastal Kenya.
The government responded by expanding GBV response mechanisms, ensuring better protection and support services for survivors.
Murkomen highlighted that tackling GBV requires coordinated efforts across various sectors, including law enforcement, healthcare, and community support services.
Youth unemployment, one of the root causes of radicalization and social unrest, was another central theme at the forum.
To address this, the government is committed to establishing Youth Safety and Innovation Hubs.
These hubs will provide young people with opportunities to engage in positive activities, such as vocational training, entrepreneurship, and education, ultimately reducing their susceptibility to criminal and extremist activities.
The Jukwaa la Usalama platform also signals a deep institutional shift within Kenya’s security framework.
The Ministry of Interior is introducing new systems to improve community engagement, including monthly reporting templates for local chiefs to monitor public sentiment and coordinate regular meetings between County Commissioners and security committees.
These measures are designed to ensure that citizens’ concerns are heard and addressed in a timely manner.
Furthermore, the government is rolling out short training modules for National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to improve their civic engagement and trauma-informed responses.
These initiatives aim to enhance the relationship between security officers and local communities, fostering a more responsive and empathetic security apparatus.
The success of Jukwaa la Usalama hinges on embedding security governance within the daily lives of Kenyans.
By fostering community participation, the initiative promotes a shared responsibility for safety and stability.
Local safety councils will be established to ensure that residents are actively involved in discussions about their security, while women and youth will be integrated into decision-making processes to ensure inclusivity.
Murkomen emphasized that the success of this initiative relies on the willingness of communities to collaborate with the government to address security issues.
This collaborative approach is aimed at building sustainable peace, which is essential for the socio-economic development of Kenya.
Jukwaa la Usalama is not just a temporary initiative but a permanent feature of Kenya’s security governance.
Moving forward, the Ministry of Interior is developing a National Community Engagement Policy to guide citizen participation and grievance redress mechanisms across all levels of security administration.
This policy will ensure that dialogue, transparency, and accountability remain central to Kenya’s security governance framework.
As the Pwani Edition concludes, it lays the foundation for future engagements across the country, where communities will continue to drive security reforms and solutions.
The legacy of Jukwaa la Usalama will be one of enhanced trust in institutions, better performance of security officers, and a more secure, stable, and prosperous Kenya.
By placing citizens at the center of security discussions, the government hopes to create a model of governance that transcends enforcement, promoting an environment of cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility in ensuring the safety of all Kenyans.
