Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned chiefs and administrative officers whose locations are selling illicit brews and narcotics warning that the government will terminate their employment contracts.
Speaking during a church service at AIC Makutano Church in Meru County ahead of President William Ruto's tour, Murkomen maintained that the government will not allow thousands of youths to lose their lives through the consumption of illicit substances.
According to the CS, the government will embark on a crackdown targeting chiefs and their assistants whose locations are being sold illicit brews.
He implored the administrative officers to emulate their fellows under the regime of former presidents of Kenya, who were firm on matters of administration.
''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,'' Murkomen asserted.
''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,'' he added.
Security Operational Changes
Murkomen, at the same time announced that the government has made changes to the security operations and command of the Ondoa Uhalifu North Rift initiative in a bid to address the rising insecurity in the region.
According to Murkomen, after meeting with security commanders from the North Rift, the government had okayed the splitting of the initiative command structure at Chemalingot in Baringo that currently includes officers from the homeland security agencies and the Kenya Defence Forces(KDF).
Consequently, the government will establish a new command centre at Kirimon in Laikipia County to address the rising insecurity and cattle theft in Samburu and Laikipia counties.
''We have agreed that the operation that was being coordinated from Baringo Chemalingot will be divided into two: those who will remain in Chemalingot will continue with the process while we have brought another team here in Kirimon that will be coordinated from here to finish the security challenges here,'' Murkomen stated.
''We are particularly concerned at the situation in Samburu East at Mukogondo forest. That is where they hide cows after stealing. We have said that we will open up the area.''
Additionally, Murkomen revealed that President William Ruto had issued orders to KDF officers to open up roads leading to Mukogondo forest in Samuru and Laikipia counties to help with the changes in the operations.
''Our military officers have been issued orders by the President and resources to open up the roads within the locality. We will storm the area and flush out those criminals; there will be no safe haven for them.''
CDF Remarks
The CS, at the same time defended the Chief of Defence Forces Charles Kahariri and National Intelligence Service(NIS) boss Nordin Haji from criticisms over their recent remarks where they told off Kenyans chanting 'Ruto Must Go' slogans.
According to Murkomen, the two made the comments from an informed view since the two of them were well conversant with the security and intelligence impacts the chants had.
