Sergeant-at-arms set for paramilitary training

County Assembly Sergeants-at-Arms across the country are set to undergo paramilitary training in a new government initiative aimed at strengthening security within legislative institutions.

Speaking during the 3rd National Conference of Sergeants-at-Arms in Machakos County, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen underscored the vital role the officers play in safeguarding Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) and protecting assembly premises.

Murkomen acknowledged existing budgetary constraints but maintained that the training is necessary to equip Sergeants-at-Arms with enhanced skills to respond to evolving security threats.

“I understand there are challenges with budgetary allocations, but we can explore ways of working together to ensure Sergeants-at-Arms in our county assemblies undergo paramilitary training,” he said.

The programme will also be extended to Sergeants-at-Arms serving in the Senate of Kenya and the National Assembly of Kenya who may not have previously received such training.

In addition, the CS directed county security teams to integrate Sergeants-at-Arms into their regular security planning frameworks. He called for their inclusion in County Security Committee meetings to enhance coordination and improve the overall protection of legislative institutions.

Murkomen emphasised that closer collaboration between Parliament and security agencies is key to ensuring a secure working environment for lawmakers and staff amid rising and increasingly complex security challenges.