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Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has raised alarm over rising crime rates across Nakuru County, citing deep-seated issues that he says require urgent government and community intervention.
Speaking on August 12, Murkomen expressed concern over a growing public tolerance of illegal activity, warning that some towns in the region have become breeding grounds for lawlessness.
“We’ve reached a point where certain vices are being normalized,” he said. “This is not just a challenge of enforcement, but of culture and collusion.”
According to Murkomen, the government has already observed troubling trends in Nakuru town, Naivasha, Gilgil, Molo, and Rongai areas that are fast becoming notorious for persistent insecurity.
He pledged to work closely with local security teams, including chiefs and police officers, to root out the causes.
Why Nakuru Has a High Crime Rate
The Cabinet Secretary pointed to the heart of the matter: the county’s role as a major conduit for drugs and illicit alcohol.
“Nakuru is one of the top counties in terms of transit of drugs and illicit alcohol,” he revealed.
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“We are dealing with adulterated ethanol, counterfeit spirits, and substandard brews, some of which are packaged locally but sourced from other regions.”
He added that the proliferation of small brewing dens, combined with Nakuru’s multicultural nature and strategic location, has turned the area into a packaging and distribution center for illegal substances.
Murkomen claimed that cannabis use is becoming dangerously normalized and blamed the inaction, and in some cases collusion, of government officials.
“This is not happening without the help of some of our own officers,” he said. “Where collusion is found, there will be no transfers. We will terminate employment and pursue legal action.”
He also alleged that powerful businesses and well-connected individuals are deeply entrenched in the illicit trade and must be brought to justice.
“We’ve made progress elsewhere. It’s time Nakuru joins that list,” he said.
NACADA Burning Alcohol
In a report released on Wednesday, July 30, NACADA banned the sale of alcohol in several areas, including supermarkets, the move which is aimed at preventing, reducing, and controlling access to and availability of alcohol, drugs, and substances of abuse.
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The authority announced the immediate prohibition of alcohol sales through online platforms, home deliveries, and couriers.
Supermarkets, petrol stations, restaurants, residential premises and areas, and outlets selling products associated with children —such as toy shops—are also affected by the new restrictions.
The authority further banned alcohol sales in vending machines, public places such as beaches, parks, amusement and recreational facilities, medical and sports facilities, as well as transport-related areas including bus parks, bus stops, railway stations, ferries, piers, and along highways.
Consumption of alcohol was also outlawed in various public places, including beaches, parks, amusement and recreational facilities, medical and sports centres, bus parks, bus stops, petrol stations, railway stations, ferry stations, piers, and along highways.
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