Murkomen announces new security measures for Turkana border areas

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has rolled out enhanced security measures to tackle persistent insecurity in the Turkana–West Pokot and Turkana–Baringo border areas. Speaking at a church service in Kanamkemer, Turkana County on September 27, 2026, Murkomen revealed that the government would beef up security personnel and equipment in these regions, where banditry and illegal firearms continue to pose significant challenges.

The security build-up aims to target hotspots where these issues persist despite recent improvements elsewhere in the region.

Murkomen flagged Turkana South along the West Pokot border and Turkana East along the Baringo–Tiaty border as areas still grappling with security issues. To combat these challenges, the government plans to quadruple Special Operations Group deployments across affected zones. A targeted operation to recover illegal firearms is slated to commence once these reinforcements are in place.

Illegal civilian firearms remain a core concern, with Murkomen asserting that citizens who retain weapons contribute to escalating violence. He emphasized that removing these weapons is crucial to eradicating banditry. Murkomen warned that the next phase of operations would extend to Turkana, Pokot, Samburu, and Marakwet counties, targeting armed groups that operate across county borders.

As part of the campaign, security agencies will prioritize intelligence-led operations, with the goal of apprehending criminals and their associates, recovering stolen livestock, and mitigating conflicts over pasture and water. The efforts will be directed towards safeguarding innocent civilians and minimizing collateral damage.

Murkomen's announcement follows the government's ongoing security operations in other parts of the North Rift, including Samburu and Isiolo, where over 3,000 illegal firearms and 8,000 rounds of ammunition have been confiscated. He has also instructed security forces to exercise heightened caution, following the loss of livestock during a previous operation in Samburu.

Beyond security measures, Murkomen pledged to collaborate with local elected officials and organize public peace gatherings to bolster community-led initiatives for peace restoration. He vowed to establish new administrative units in Turkana and enhance access to essential services in traditionally underserved border regions. Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, present at the event, called for unity among northern Kenya leaders to jointly address the region's security concerns and foster overall peace in the Kerio Valley.