Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered the deployment of elite security units to curb rising banditry in Kitui county.
Murkomen said combat-hardened officers from the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) and the General Service Unit (GSU) will be sent to Katumba in Mwingi Central and Kona Kaliti in Kitui South, areas that have experienced repeated attacks by armed gangs.
“I have spoken to the Inspector General and security teams will be deployed to Kona Kaliti and Katumba to help restore law and order,” he said.
The CS spoke on Wednesday at Nuu Primary School grounds in Mwingi Central during the launch of the newly established Nuu subcounty, where he also unveiled deputy county commissioner Washington Khoi.
His remarks followed concerns raised by local leaders led by Kitui Minority leader Jeremiah Mutua, who said attacks by gunmen posing as camel herders had become frequent.
Mutua alleged that suspected bandits recently raided Kona Kaliti police station, forcing officers to flee and disrupted construction of the Katumba police station.
Murkomen vowed decisive action, saying additional officers will be deployed to eight police stations built by the Kitui County Government along the volatile border with Tana River county.
He also announced plans to hand over management of the South Kitui Game Reserve to the Kenya Wildlife Service to flush out bandits believed to be hiding in the area.
However, the move has been delayed by land ownership disputes within the reserve.
“I urge all stakeholders to resolve the land issues so that KWS can move in and restore security,” he said.
At the same time, Murkomen warned against the illegal practice of holding national identity cards as collateral, stressing that IDs are not legal tender.
He directed individuals, including rogue money lenders, to return any IDs in their possession or face prosecution.
“National ID is not legal tender. Anyone holding another person’s ID must return it to the owner,” he said.
Murkomen noted that the practice denies citizens access to essential services, including voter registration.
He urged affected individuals to reclaim their IDs and register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The CS said the creation of Nuu subcounty is part of President William Ruto’s plan to decentralise services and bring government closer to the people.
He added that the government will continue to operationalise gazetted administrative units as resources allow.
Murkomen noted that Kitui has 19 subcounties — the highest in the country — underscoring the government’s push to expand service delivery.
