Murkomen: Chiefs' allocations will rise to Sh50K, village elders to undergo digital training

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced increased allocations for chiefs and assistant chiefs, ongoing promotions, and plans to train village elders in digital literacy and leadership.

Speaking on Tuesday at State House, Nairobi, during a meeting hosted by President William Ruto for village elders from across the country, Murkomen said the training of chiefs and assistant chiefs had already been completed.

The CS said the President's directive on increasing operational funds for chiefs and assistant chiefs had been implemented in the current budget.

"We have finished training the chiefs and assistant chiefs. The promotion process that you announced here is ongoing, and we are announcing these opportunities to promote chiefs and assistant chiefs," he said.

"The directive that the President issued on AIE on chiefs and assistant chiefs, in the current budget, they will receive Sh15,000 to Sh30,000, while chiefs' allocations will increase from Sh30,000 to Sh50,000.”

He announced that the government will roll out digital literacy and leadership training for village elders across the country.

On security, Murkomen said the rollout of the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU) is progressing, with 16 sub-counties already assigned officers.

"We shall also train all the village elders on digital literacy and leadership across the country. You also announced that we must have the National Government Administration Police Unit operationalised. I want to announce that 16 sub-counties have acquired NGAPU officers," he said.

Murkomen added that about 60,000 police officers are expected to graduate soon to bolster security in sub-counties across the country.

We expect the graduation will happen soon, and it will strengthen the police officers in all the sub-counties. Additional DCI anti-narcotics officers will also be deployed nationwide," he said.

Murkomen called on elders across the country to take a leading role in fighting tribalism, political incitement and the use of youths to cause violence during political activities.

He called on the elders to become champions of national unity as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.

The Cabinet Secretary urged elders to reject politicians who seek to divide Kenyans along ethnic and political lines, saying they had a responsibility to promote the values and principles enshrined in the Constitution. 

“Let us reject all those who are preaching tribalism, dividing the people, spreading hatred,” Murkomen said.

“We must ensure we are promoting values and principles of our Constitution. I request you, our elders, to become the cornerstone of the unity of our republic and shun politics and leaders that spread division and tribalism.”

Murkomen called on elders to work closely with security agencies to address the growing use of youths in political confrontations.