CS Murkomen arrives in Mombasa for coastal security and service delivery talks

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has arrived in Mombasa to hold a consultative meeting on security and service delivery with leaders from the six coastal counties.

The meeting, aimed at addressing key security concerns and improving public service provision, brings together county executives, lawmakers, and senior government officials.

CS Murkomen was joined by his Mining and Blue Economy counterpart, CS Hassan Ali Joho, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, as well as Members of Parliament and other senior officials.

"We have arrived in Mombasa for a security and service delivery consultative meeting with leaders from the six Coastal counties," he posted.

The week-long visit will see CS Murkomen assess the security situation across the counties while engaging local leaders, regional and county security teams, National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), and peace committees.

The six counties include Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, and Taita-Taveta.

CS Murkomen arrives in Mombasa for coastal security and service delivery talks

Officials attending the meeting are expected to share insights from their counties to support a coordinated approach in addressing both immediate and long-term security and development challenges.

The coastal tour comes amid a recent surge in panga-related criminal incidents, prompting heightened security operations across the region.

The visit also follows a major maritime operation off the Kenyan coast several months ago, during which narcotics valued at Sh8 billion were seized.

Speaking during a church service at AIC Kisumu Arina Local Church, Murkomen further said the suspects arrested in connection with the seizure will soon be arraigned in court.

“We have resolved as a nation that we must fight drugs, illicit alcohol, and all kinds of things that are destroying the lives of our people,” the CS stated.

“This decisive intervention, led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) with support from the Kenya Navy, the Kenya Coast Guard Service, National Intelligence Service, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, the Government Chemist, and other partner agencies, forms part of our contribution to global efforts to dismantle transnational organised crime networks, including narcotics trafficking, terrorism financing, and illicit financial flows,” Murkomen said.

He added that Kenya will collaborate with international partners to trace and disrupt the broader criminal network linked to the shipment, which he described as one of the largest drug seizures in recent years.

“We are progressively heightening our multi-agency security coordination framework and the vigilance of our maritime surveillance systems,” Murkomen added.

“We also remain steadfast in our commitment to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, enhance maritime and border security, and reinforce partnerships with regional and global allies to combat the production, movement, and financing of illicit substances.