Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that all chiefs in Mandera County will soon be armed as part of the government’s efforts to enhance security in the region.
Speaking during a security meeting in Mandera, Murkomen said the decision was informed by the persistent threat of insecurity in the area, particularly from cross-border attacks and militant activity. He explained that chiefs often find themselves on the frontline of community administration without adequate protection, a situation the government now intends to address.
According to the CS, the chiefs will first undergo formal vetting and training before being issued with firearms. They will also be registered as part of the National Police Reservists to ensure their handling of weapons is lawful and subject to regulation. Murkomen stressed that the move is not only to protect administrators but also to improve their ability to serve residents without fear.
“The security of our administrators is a priority. They cannot continue serving communities when they are constantly exposed to threats. That is why we have resolved to provide them with arms after they have been vetted and trained,” Murkomen said.
The announcement comes after a series of incidents in Mandera where chiefs have faced direct attacks. Earlier this year, suspected Al-Shabaab militants abducted two chiefs in the county, raising alarm about the safety of local administrators working in high-risk areas.
Murkomen added that the plan would later extend to other insecurity-prone counties where chiefs and assistant chiefs are equally vulnerable. These include regions affected by banditry and cattle rustling, where administrators have repeatedly appealed for protection.
The government, he noted, will work closely with security agencies to monitor the implementation of the program and ensure the firearms are used strictly for self-defense and in accordance with the law.
Local leaders in Mandera welcomed the announcement, describing it as a necessary step to protect community representatives who are often targeted by criminals. However, some voices have cautioned that the government must maintain strict oversight to prevent misuse of the weapons.
For now, the Interior Ministry has not provided an exact timeline on when the arming exercise will begin, but Murkomen assured residents that preparations are underway.
The move signals the government’s renewed focus on boosting security in northern Kenya, where residents and administrators have long complained of being left vulnerable to armed groups.
Image: Nairobi Leo
