Interior and National Administration CS Kipchumba Murkomen Thursday put on notice security officers engaging in corrupt activities, warning that their days are numbered.
He warned that National Government administration officers, police and the National Police Reservists engaging in corruption will carry their own cross when caught.
“Corruption derails government efforts to provide services to the the citizens. Our main client is the Kenyan people and will not allow this to be compromised,” vowed the CS.
He stressed that it will not be business are usual for officers engaging in corrupt activists, singling out human trafficking and charging for government services like application of IDs.
“Chiefs, Assistant chiefs, ACCs and DCCs among other cadres will not be retained if found culpable. No crime crime is smaller than another,” said Murkomen, noting that officers complain that why are they targeted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission for allegedly receiving Sh1000 yet others steal billions.
“There is no smaller sin. Whether a thousand shilling or a billion. Governors are being arrested for graft allegations. CSs, PSs found collecting bribes are not spared. You will carry your cross alone,” warned the CS.
He emphasized that service delivery is critical in ensuring that President William Ruto’s administration delivers on his pledges and called on the oversight agencies to continue doing their work of exposing the corrupt officers.
“We urge the local community to help in the fight against corruption. We know of chiefs inciting their communities to attack other communities, some officers support human trafficking and will not condone this. We will engage Public Service Commission to relieve those implicated to defend their cases in court, while outside,” he stated.
Murkomen was speaking in Kitui on the first day of his Jukwaa la Usalama, Lower Eastern tour.
He also ordered a major crackdown on illegally acquired state land.
He raised alarm on the growing appetite to seize government property, especially police and prisons land.
He also instructed that all public land should be properly titled, and squatters invading the said land be evicted immediately.
“Land is a very emotive matter and a source of insecurity. Public land grabbed must be recovered and properly titled,” said the CS.
He promised to work closely with the Ministry of Lands to survey and ensure all government land is properly documented.
“The administrative units must ensure public land is protected and documents are upto date,” stated the CS.
He noted that the matter is also rampant with communal and private land, especially group ranches at the coast region and now Lower Eastern.
“Many reported cases even here in Kitui County are about land issues and it’s a security threat arising from clashes between farmers and herders,” said the CS.
He tied this thorny issue with that of boundary disputes, saying it has strained relationship between counties and constituencies.
“This debate should be escalated to Parliament, because it is about resources. Kitui, for instance, has a boundary issue with Tana River and it’s not different in other counties,” noted the CS.
On the issue of human-wildlife conflict, the CS noted that encroachment on national reserves is a worrying trend.
He vowed to enhance security around ecosystems such as the Mwingi Game Reserve which are critical conservation areas.
“We will work closely with the county government to deploy county rangers or the KWS to protect the reserves and curb criminal activities, such as illegal firearms, fights over pasture among others,” affirmed Murkomen.
He disclosed Kitui county has 240 National Police Reservists (NPRs) who play a key role in the reduction of crime.
The CS pitched for regular consultations in assessing the delivery of government services and enhancement of security.
“We are listening to the public through these engagements to get feedback and also solutions to some of the protracted challenges,” said the CS.
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