Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has challenged police recruits to take a firm stand against the escalating threat of organized gangs, sounding the alarm over a surge in “goonism” allegedly fueled by political actors.
Speaking during a visit to the National Police College campuses in Embakasi, Murkomen assessed the progress of recruit training and ongoing capacity-building programs for serving officers.
His remarks follow growing national concern over the resurgence of hired gangs, which civil society groups, religious leaders, and opposition figures claim are increasingly used for political intimidation. These groups have reported instances of organized squads breaking up political gatherings, barricading roads, and harassing perceived opponents.
Addressing the trainees, Murkomen noted that the evolving nature of crime demands a higher level of preparedness. While he acknowledged traditional security challenges such as robbery, land disputes, and gender-based violence, he singled out the growth of organized goons as a pressing threat to national stability.
“We have also witnessed recently a growing challenge that we are facing, and that is the growth of goons and gangs across the country,” he said.
CS Murkomen expressed regret that some individuals expected to provide leadership, including aspiring and current officeholders, have instead become a threat to national security by patronizing these criminal elements. Through this warning, Murkomen made it clear that the police must be properly equipped to dismantle these networks, regardless of their political affiliations.
Murkomen informed the recruits that the burden of neutralizing these threats will soon fall squarely on their shoulders. He expressed his expectation that their current training will provide them with the necessary capacity to shield Kenyans from such criminal activities once they enter the field.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that professionalism and discipline serve as the primary defense against both conventional crime and politically motivated violence. He urged the trainees to internalize constitutional values, focusing specifically on the importance of personal character.
“Therefore, what are the key values that will enable you to do so? First of all is the constitutional value of integrity. The training you are being given requires you to become a more disciplined police officer, and discipline starts not from others; it starts from you,” he said.
Beyond their official duties, Murkomen reminded the recruits that they carry the hopes of their families and communities. He observed that many joined the service as “an answered prayer” and must honor that trust through dedicated service to the nation.
Following his visit, Murkomen issued a statement highlighting the government’s heavy investment in police infrastructure and training to combat emerging security threats. He explained that the curriculum at the Embakasi campuses provides officers with the specific mindset and skills required to safeguard lives and property. These institutions remain central to a broader modernization program that includes upgrading regional colleges and establishing centers of excellence for continuous officer development.
During his visit to the Embakasi ‘A’ Campus, Murkomen inspected the construction of a new 780-bed barracks. This project forms a key part of the government’s strategy to enhance trainee accommodation and foster a more productive learning environment within the police colleges.
A high-ranking delegation accompanied the Cabinet Secretary, including Inspector General Douglas Kanja and Deputy Inspectors General Eliud Lagat and Gilbert Masengeli. The group also included General Service Unit Commandant Ranson Lolmodooni, along with campus commandants Isaac Alimaa and William Samoei, signaling a unified leadership approach toward the modernization of police training facilities.
