NAIROBI, Kenya — Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has pledged a decisive crackdown on politically instigated violence, warning that hired goons who disrupt public events will be dealt with “without fear, favour, and indiscriminately.”
Murkomen was speaking during the graduation ceremony of 1,837 Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs at the National Police College, Embakasi ‘A’ Campus on Monday, December 1, presided over by President William Ruto.
The officers have completed induction, paralegal, and security management training aimed at strengthening administrative leadership and enhancing service delivery at the grassroots level.
“There is a phenomenon that has grown in the country, perpetuated by political leaders who mobilise goons to cheer for them, carrying rungus and machetes. What happened here in Nairobi cannot be condoned. Those responsible shall be dealt with and face the law,” Murkomen said.
“This must be done without fear, favour, and indiscriminately.”
The CS noted that chiefs across the country increasingly struggle to manage public gatherings, including funerals, due to the rising presence of hired thugs. He added that the government, in consultation with the Inspector General of Police, plans to prioritise addressing the threat posed by goons nationwide over the coming months.
Highlighting the crucial role of chiefs, Murkomen described them as multipurpose officers who assist in farmer registration, health promotion, conflict resolution, and other community services.
“They are the most trusted public servants in the country,” he said, noting that some officers have served for decades without formal training since 1997.
Since August 2025, the revamped training programme has seen 5,892 chiefs and assistant chiefs trained across the country. The curriculum included governance, human rights, conflict resolution, negotiations, community engagement, security management, and paralegal support.
Officers were also trained to address national threats such as gender-based violence (GBV), sexual offences, drug and alcohol abuse among youth, banditry, and terrorism.
Murkomen described the graduating officers as frontline heroes, acknowledging that some have been abducted or killed while performing their duties.
He also highlighted their key role in protecting vulnerable youth and combating GBV, as well as their collaboration with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) in cracking down on substance abuse.
President William Ruto, who presided over the ceremony, recognised the officers as pillars of law and order, essential in maintaining peace within communities.
The graduation represents the third cohort to complete the revamped programme, marking the government’s ongoing commitment to professionalising National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) and enhancing grassroots governance.
In September 2025, Murkomen announced plans to arm chiefs in border regions and other high-risk areas following security vetting and standard licensing, reflecting a broader government strategy to strengthen the country’s local security apparatus.
The graduation comes amid growing concerns over politically instigated violence and rising criminality in public events, reinforcing the government’s resolve to empower chiefs with the skills and authority needed to uphold law, order, and community safety.
