CS Murkomen warns chiefs abetting sale of illicit brews and drugs
In ongoing efforts against the selling of illicit brews and narcotics, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has put on notice chiefs and administrative officers, warning that they risk losing their jobs for failing to tackle the vices.
Speaking at AIC Makutano Church in Meru County during a church service ahead of President William Ruto’s visit to the Mt. Kenya region, Murkomen emphasized that the government is committed to protecting young people from the dangers of illicit substances.
He further announced that the government will launch a crackdown on chiefs and their assistants overseeing locations where the sale of illegal alcohol is taking place.
''The reason why the government has chiefs and their assistants in every corner of the country is to enable it to have a know of all that is ongoing on. It cannot be possible that illicit brews will be sold in any village without their knowledge,'' said the CS.
''We have said that should we get information of illicit brews trading and narcotics in any location that an administrative officer is in and they fail to report, and without written report for reinforcement, that chief will loose his job.''
At the same time, the CS defended Chief of Defence Forces Charles Kahariri and National Intelligence Service (NIS) boss Nordin Haji against criticism over their recent remarks dismissing Kenyans chanting "Ruto Must Go" slogans.
He stated that their comments were based on an informed perspective, emphasizing that both officials had a deep understanding of the security and intelligence implications of such chants.
Following discussions with security commanders from the North Rift, Murkomen also stated that the government had approved the reorganization of the security command structure currently based in Chemolingot, Baringo, where the government is tackling the banditry menace.
The restructuring aims to enhance operational efficiency by decentralizing command, he said.
As part of this plan, a new command center will be established in Kirimon, Laikipia County, to combat increasing cases of insecurity and cattle rustling in Laikipia and Samburu counties.
“The operation that was being coordinated from Chemolingot will now be split into two. One team will remain in Chemolingot, while another will be stationed in Kirimon to focus on security challenges in this region,” Murkomen explained.