The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior Kipchumba Murkomen, has announced the government’s plans to permanently deal with the issues of illicit alcohol, illegal mining, contraband smuggling through the Kenya-Uganda border, and gang violence in Nyanza Region.
Speaking during the 41st meeting of the Jukwaa la Usalama in Siaya Town, Siaya County, Murkomen expressed his satisfaction and eagerness for the leaders to address the problems faced in the entire lake region.
CS Murkomen has identified the smuggling of contraband goods and drug trafficking through the Kenya-Uganda border as a “huge national challenge” that the Kenyan government has vowed to deal with thoroughly through the Jukwaa la Usalama initiative.
“There is a lot of multi-agency work currently already on the ground and we are working together with the KDF, police and an intelligence team towards resolving these issues and we will surely make Kenya a better place.”
Smuggling across this border involves a wide range of goods, driven by price differences, taxation policies, and regulatory disparities between the two countries.
The CS reported that the main goods being smuggled through the border are counterfeit alcohol, sugar, livestock, meat, fuel, and firearms.
Illegal Mining
Murkomen has blamed unregulated mining in Western Kenya for the fact that miners in Kenya struggle to make a decent living from their earnings.
He has also indicated that the government has promised to provide the Ministry of Mining with all the necessary resources and finances to address the issue.
All artisan miners should be organized into cooperatives to regulate and protect the environment, safeguard lives, and enable the government to generate revenue.
According to the Interior CS, conflicts related to mining pose a threat to national security and can escalate into more severe conflicts if not resolved in a timely manner.
Hooliganism and Gang Violence
Murkomen congratulated the national police in the Nyanza region for doing their best to curb gang violence and hooliganism that have for years disrupted the peace of the local residents and have led to fewer foreign tourists in the area.
Murkomen noted that although past security operations had significantly reduced the activities of notorious gangs such as the “42 Brothers,” some political groups were still recruiting young people to engage in hooliganism and disrupt public meetings.
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He vowed to take decisive action against individuals and groups involved in such activities.
Illicit Brews
Murkomen expressed deep concern over the widespread brewing, distribution, and consumption of illicit alcohol in Western Kenya, particularly in rural communities.
He singled out chang’aa production as a major problem, noting that it not only endangers public health but also fuels crime and social decay.
The CS said the illegal trade thrives because of weak regulation and poor enforcement, with some unscrupulous individuals exploiting licensing loopholes to sell dangerous brews.
He stressed that the national and county governments must work closely together to tighten controls on alcohol licensing, strengthen enforcement, and shut down unlicensed outlets.
Murkomen further announced that coordinated operations involving chiefs, assistant chiefs, and police officers would be intensified to dismantle brewing dens and arrest perpetrators.
Gender-Based Violence
Additionally, the CS highlighted serious concerns about gender-based violence (GBV) and defilement cases in the county.
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He condemned the use of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms to settle sexual offenses, insisting that such crimes must be prosecuted under the law.
“We must enforce the law strictly and stop practices that encourage impunity, such as alternative dispute resolution in cases of sexual violence.”
In conclusion, the CS praised Siaya as a generally peaceful county but urged continued vigilance and cooperation to maintain stability.
“Our mission is to protect lives, safeguard our economy, and ensure that every citizen can live in peace and dignity.”
The government aims to conclude the Jukwaa La Usalama forums in all 47 counties by Friday 19 September 2025, reinforcing its commitment to grassroots security engagement and nationwide unity in combating crime and social ills.
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