Murkomen vows crackdown on criminal gangs at Nairobi Jukwaa la Usalama forum
The meeting seeks to collect feedback on challenges affecting security in the city and issues hindering officers from effectively carrying out their duties.
Security officials and Nairobi residents are sharing their concerns at the final edition of the Jukwaa la Usalama forum, currently underway at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Lower Kabete.
The forum is chaired by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who is joined by senior officials from the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, NACADA, and the Registration of Persons Department, as well as Nairobi MPs and representatives from various sectors.
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The meeting seeks to collect feedback on challenges affecting security in the city and issues hindering officers from effectively carrying out their duties.
Opening the forum, CS Murkomen emphasised that Chatham House rules apply, assuring participants that no officer or resident would be victimised for their contributions. He stressed the need for solutions to tackle the growing threat of criminal gangs in Nairobi.
200 gangs
"When we speak, let us be frank on how we can address the issue of gangs. We have about 200 gangs in Nairobi and we have agreed with the IG on how to end the challenge but I will not disclose that now," he said.
Murkomen added that the gangs, which have in recent times been linked to political activities, are also increasingly involved in land-grabbing cases across the city.
The Nairobi edition marks the conclusion of similar forums held in all 47 counties. Feedback from other counties highlighted several challenges, including a lack of synergy between administrators and police officers, unclear career progression guidelines, an ambiguous transfer policy, inadequate continuous training, and insufficient fuel allocations for police mobility.
The CS said some of these issues are already being addressed. These include the promotion of all officers aged 50 and above who are still serving as constables. Additionally, corporals with more than 15 years of service and inspectors with over 10 years will be automatically promoted.
On transfers, Murkomen said a new policy is being developed to ensure officers serve no more than three to five years in one station.
"All must serve the country equally," he said.
He further announced that a prototype design for police stations has been developed to ensure uniformity nationwide.
The ministry is also working to increase monthly fuel allocations from the current 450 litres to at least 650 litres as a temporary measure while pursuing a long-term solution.
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