Kakamega: Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered a major crackdown on criminal gangs in western Kenya. Speaking during a Jukwa la Usalama forum, Murkomen issued a stern warning to politicians sponsoring criminal gangs to disrupt public functions or political gatherings, emphasizing that they will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
According to Kenya News Agency, the CS expressed concern over the increasing infiltration of criminal gangs in rural areas of western Kenya. Security officers have been put on high alert to decisively address this emerging threat. Murkomen noted that, unlike other parts of the country where gangs are mostly found in urban and peri-urban areas, in the western region, these criminal elements are prevalent even in rural areas of Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, and Trans Nzoia counties.
Murkomen specifically called out politicians who hire goons for political expediency, a practice fueled by the prevalence of drugs and illicit drinks. He announced a major crackdown over the next month targeting leaders of criminal gangs and their accomplices, with the intention of bringing them to justice regardless of their societal status. A special security team has been formed to address this issue, and 175 suspected goons have already been arrested in Trans Nzoia County and taken to court.
The CS urged the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Judiciary to impose punitive penalties on all suspects involved in criminal activities. He highlighted that witnesses often hesitate to testify in courts when suspects are released on free bond. Security agents in Kakamega have also intensified efforts against cattle theft, leading to the arrest of several suspects and recovery of firearms.
Additionally, Murkomen expressed concern over the high consumption of marijuana in parts of Vihiga County and chang'aa in Kakamega County, with the latter being a significant issue according to the National Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA). In the past eight months, over 30,000 liters of chang'aa have been seized, and suspects charged in court.
Murkomen also addressed alarming trends in defilement cases, with reports of about 15-18 cases per month in Busia, Bungoma, and Kakamega counties, totaling over 100 cases in the last eight months. He attributed this to drugs, illicit brews, and cultural activities like disco matangas, which have been banned by the government. The CS mentioned issues of case concealment, particularly in instances of incest, where relatives fail to cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
To enhance security, Murkomen announced plans to recruit an additional 10,000 youth into the National Police Service for training. New vehicles for security patrol will also be procured. On the forthcoming by-elections, he assured Kenyans of increased security during campaigns and warned against any attempts to disrupt the electoral process.