Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to ensure all chiefs and assistant chiefs in high risk areas are armed before the year ends. He made the directive on Monday September 22 during a Jukwaa la Usalama forum held in Mandera County.
Murkomen said chiefs who already know how to use firearms should be issued guns immediately. Those who need training will undergo firearm handling lessons before being cleared to carry weapons. He noted that the government’s plan was to shield local administrators from extremist groups and rampant criminal attacks.
The CS stated that Mandera had experienced relative calm in recent weeks following the deployment of a multi-agency security team to troubled border regions. However he added that the area remained volatile because of its heavy reliance on cross border trade with Somalia and Ethiopia.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif also admitted that tribal clashes had reduced, but warned that cattle rustling was still common across villages. He welcomed the plan to arm chiefs, saying it would boost local confidence in security operations.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja who accompanied Murkomen urged residents to work closely with local administrators and security agencies. He said security was a shared duty and police would succeed only if residents joined hands with them in reporting threats and incidents.
Murkomen also revealed that the government would increase the number of National Police Reservists in border counties. He promised better equipment and incentives for the reservists so that they could support regular police officers in keeping the peace.
The debate on arming chiefs and sub chiefs gained momentum after militants stormed Mangai village in Lamu County in March 2025. They gathered residents, delivered a sermon and left without causing harm, exposing the vulnerability of local administrators.
Murkomen also pledged to boost police mobility in Mandera once a new motor vehicle leasing deal is finalized. He said officers will soon have more vehicles and advanced technology to respond to insecurity swiftly. He added that the welfare of officers will remain a priority for his ministry.
The directive to arm chiefs marks a major shift in government security strategy. If fully implemented before December it will be the first time local administrators in terror prone areas officially carry guns.
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