Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has mandated a full transfer of all police officers stationed at Keringet Police Station following persistent community complaints about insecurity and misconduct.
Speaking at a public baraza in Keringet, Kuresoi South, Nakuru County on Saturday, July 25, Murkomen ordered the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to deploy 20 fresh officers to the area within two weeks. He also instructed that officers with long tenures accused of alcoholism be sent to rehabilitation and face disciplinary measures.
Before the new officers arrive, a specialised Nairobi-based team will be deployed for three weeks to address alcohol abuse and illegal substances in the region.
Community Concerns and Government Response
The reshuffle follows protests by residents over local insecurity, unsolved murders, and the proliferation of illicit drug trafficking. Locals blame some government officials, including chiefs, for negligence in tackling these issues.
Murkomen gave chiefs a two-week ultimatum to improve their performance or face disciplinary action, promising a new vehicle for the area OCPD as part of the reforms.
Police Crackdown on Crime
Inspector General Douglas Kanja reaffirmed the police commitment to eliminate gangs and criminal elements, emphasizing firm but lawful enforcement. His remarks came shortly after President William Ruto declared a crackdown on vice spreading since the 2024 protests.
Kanja warned, "There are people who will cry a lot! Don't say you weren't told! We will not accept the words of goons and gangs. It must end!"
Background
Since January, human rights groups including the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and Amnesty International have documented 10 to 15 deaths linked to confrontations involving plainclothes police units and hired disruptors amid the political unrest.
With the campaign season underway, pressure mounts on the National Police Service to curb state-sponsored violence and restore order.
