By S, KNA
Interior Cabinet Secretary Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen has underscored the importance of community goodwill and partnership in enhancing security across Homa Bay County.
Speaking during the 40th Jukwaa la Usalama forum held in Homa Bay on Wednesday, the CS said security efforts must be rooted in dialogue and grassroots engagement.
“The objective of Jukwaa la Usalama is to foster collaboration, understanding and dialogue with the people. We want to hear from those most affected by insecurity to know how best we can enhance safety,” Murkomen stated.
The forum brought together residents, security personnel, Civil Society Organizations, the Luo Council of Elders, education sector representatives, and other stakeholders. Issues raised included corruption, defilement, land disputes, infiltration of criminal gangs, and cattle theft.
Members of the National Police Service highlighted challenges such as inadequate police stations and infrastructure, limited vehicles, poor fuel allocation, and the need for reforms in career progression, while student leaders expressed concern about insecurity affecting university learners in the region.
In response, Murkomen directed that university student leaders and deans of students be incorporated into future security forums to address safety concerns at institutional levels.
Community representatives did not hold back, emphasizing on corruption in the public sector. Bunge la WenyeNchi speaker, Walter Opiyo, accused traffic officers of rampant corruption, while another resident, Evans Oloo Ogor, called for a fair and transparent police recruitment process, citing corruption in law enforcement and cattle theft in rural areas.
The CS emphasized the need to tackle corruption head-on, saying it remains a major obstacle in public service delivery.
He urged chiefs to desist from handling Gender-based Violence (GBV) and defilement cases through informal “kangaroo courts,” stressing that such crimes must be reported, investigated, and culprits prosecuted.
“Defilement and GBV remain serious challenges in Western and Nyanza counties, worsened by retrogressive cultural practices such as disco matanga, which has been banned. Those who attempt to use alternative dispute resolution for these crimes will face action,” he warned.
To boost police operations, Murkomen revealed that the government is procuring 3,000 leased vehicles, with a broader plan to secure 5,000 by 2026 adding that fuel allocations will also be increased from 450 to 650 litres per vehicle to enhance mobility.
Murkomen was accompanied by senior officials including Internal Security PS Dr. Raymond Omollo, Immigration and Citizen Services PS, Dr. Belio Kipsang, Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli, E-Citizen Director General Isaac Ochieng, Principal Administrative Secretary Beverly Opwora, and Nyanza Regional Commissioner, Flora Moroa.
The leaders urged stronger partnerships between government, community leaders, and citizens in ensuring effective management of security challenges across the country.
The CS further announced plans to devolve Jukwaa la Usalama forums under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) to strengthen security dialogue at the grassroots.
“We want to institutionalize security within the bottom-up framework as a mechanism of resolving cases that bother the people in their ordinary lives,” he explained.
