Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen speaks during Jukwaa la Usalama townhall meeting in Busia county on September 3, 2025. /MINAInterior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has assured residents that security in Busia county has been restored following a crackdown on criminal gangs operating along the Kenya–Uganda border.
Speaking during the Jukwaa la Usalama townhall meeting in the county on Wednesday September 3, Murkomen said the interventions of Kenyan security agencies, working closely with their Ugandan counterparts, had restored calm and peace in Busia.
“Busia county is now calm and peaceful after gangs were contained thanks to the effective interventions from our security teams working in close collaboration with their Ugandan counterparts,” he said.
He noted that several arrests and prosecutions of gang leaders had been made, but warned that security agencies remained vigilant.
“While we are pleased with the progress of this fight, which has seen arrests and the prosecution of gang leaders, our security agencies are on high alert to deal with these gangs decisively in Busia and elsewhere in the country,” he added.
The assurance comes amid rising tensions on the border between Kenya and Somalia following claims of an alleged invasion by troops from Jubaland.
Murkomen, however, clarified that the soldiers posed no real danger to locals, saying they were harmless and were simply fleeing conflict at home.
Meanwhile, Murkomen cautioned that smuggling of contraband goods, particularly ethanol and illicit alcohol, was still a challenge along the Busia border.
“While we acknowledge the improved surveillance efforts by our multi-agency teams, which have led to the seizure of drugs and smuggled goods, we must take further deterrent measures to combat this menace,” he said.
The CS said the government had embarked on asset recovery as part of wider reforms to curb smuggling and was also working to harmonise licensing and regulatory frameworks within the East African Community “to make enforcement seamless.”
He further underscored the role of the Kenya Coast Guard Service in securing the blue economy, saying the government was “boosting the capacity of the Service by increasing the number of staff, the use of modern technology and vessels” to ensure legal fishing and the safety of fishermen.
On mining, Murkomen added that the government was collaborating with the relevant ministry to resolve safety and security challenges in the sector.
The townhall was attended by Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, Deputy Governor Arthur Odera, MPs Raphael Wanjala (Budalang’i), Joseph Oyula (Butula), Catherine Omanyo (Woman Rep), County Assembly Speaker Fredrick Odilo and MCAs.
Murkomen was accompanied by Deputy Inspector General (APS) Gilbert Masengeli, Principal Administrative Secretary Beverly Opwora, Nacada CEO Anthony Omerikwa, National Registration Bureau Director Aggrey Masai and Kenya Coast Guard Commander Joel Koech.
Also in his entourage were Western Regional Commissioner Irungu Macharia, Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamed, Regional AP Commander Michael Naro and County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga, among other senior government officials.
