Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that all chiefs and assistant chiefs in terror-prone areas, including Mandera County, will be armed before the end of the year.
The CS made the declaration during a Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Mandera County on Monday, September 22, as he reiterated that this was part of efforts to protect chiefs from extremist groups and other dangers.
According to Murkomen, ahead of the armament exercise, chiefs unfamiliar with firearm usage would undergo training, while those already proficient would be issued a firearm immediately.
"By December, all chiefs in need of firearm protection should be armed. Those who do not require training should be issued firearms without delay," Murkomen said.
Murkomen noted that relative calm had been restored in Mandera since the deployment of a multi-agency security team to quell tensions, particularly along the Ethiopia and Somalia borders.
Part of the reason Mandera is considered volatile is that the county's economy is supported by cross-border trade between the county and the neighbouring communities in Ethiopia and Somalia.
Governor Mohamed Khalif also admitted that while the county experienced minimal inter-tribal clashes, cattle rustling incidents were quite prevalent.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who was also present in Mandera, urged locals to collaborate with chiefs and security agencies to curb insecurity in the county.
"Security is a shared responsibility. As police officers, our responsibility is to ensure you have adequate responsibility. However, we have to collaborate with local residents as well," Kanja said.
Besides arming chiefs, Murkomen also announced the government's plans to equip, incentivise and recruit more National Police Reservists to sustain the gains made in securing the county.
The issue of arming area chiefs, sub-chiefs and NPRs gained momentum after an incident in March 2025, which saw armed militants storm Mangai village in Lamu County before gathering area residents and preaching to them. The militants then walked away without harming anyone.
Murkomen also held a meeting with officers in Mandera, after which he resolved to prioritise mobility for security personnel in the county and other operational areas once a motor leasing agreement is concluded.
In addition, the CS added that the government was working to improve officers' welfare by equipping them with the latest technology to curb insecurity.
