CS Kipchumba Murkomen during Jukwaa La Usalama in West Pokot County on Thursday, July 17. Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen X.
Speaking during Jukwaa la Usalama in Ekale Centre in Turkana County, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen expressed government’s commitment to restore education in banditry prone areas in North Rift.
Murkomen said that education, cornerstone in restoring peace and security, among key cornerstone agenda in his office. He noted a number of schools in Turkana South and Turkana East have remained closed despite a relative calm witnessed in the area recently.
He reinforced the Head of State directive immediately he took office to re-opening and reconstruction of all schools closed down after due to banditry attacks.
The CS assured the residents that funds have been allocated in the current financial year, and Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) are expected to commence construction soon, as he acknowledged that 12 schools in Turkana East are yet to resume fully into operations.
Apart from Turkana, neigbouring counties of West Pokot, Kerio Valley, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo also witnessed burning, vandalism and destruction of schools in recurring insecurity in the area, emphasizing that schools in the conflicted areas represents a new dawn of hope , restoration of peace and a promising future.
With Maliza Uhalifu campaign yielding positive results, Turkana County remains under threat of attack from the neigbouring borders of Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda. Murkomen said despite relative peace and slow return to normalcy in Turkana East, border communities still pose a threat.
Following the uncertainty, he said that the government deploy a multi-agency security team in the area including KDF, to support the police and National Police Reservists (NPR), at the main entry points to the county.
Murkomen further explained the role of NPR during the forum, and revealed the government’s plan to strengthen their accountability and integrate them under the command of OCS , emphasizing that NPR should understand their vital role of protecting the citizens and not causing harm.
He expressed concerns over the porous borders that have become a breeding ground for human trafficking, undocumented immigrants especially in Turkana and Marsabit counties.
To counter the effect, the government is planning to equip and employ NPR and expand network coverage, increase number of police stations to cover the vast areas of North Rift region.
Murkomen was joined by DIG Administration police Gilbert Masengeli, Turkana governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, MPS Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan, and senior regional security officers, Turkana County Commissioner Julius Kavita, Speaker of the Turkana County Assembly Charles Lokiyoto, Members of the County Assembly, and other senior officials from the National Government.
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