Africa-Press – Kenya. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced plans to strengthen security in Isiolo and neighbouring counties through an increase in the number of National Police Reservists (NPRs), following reports of rising insecurity in the region.
Murkomen noted that the current deployment of NPRs was insufficient, with only 83 reservists protecting residents compared to nearly 400 assigned to private conservancies.
“I have been told we only have 83 NPRs protecting the people while those in conservancies are almost 400,” Murkomen said.
To address the gap, the CS said the government intends to deploy at least 20 NPRs in each of the nine locations within the affected areas, initially increasing the number to 180 while plans are finalised to recruit more.
“We have identified 40 NPRs, and now we are adding another 60 so that we take them for training,” he said.
The CS spoke on Tuesday during a high-level security meeting in Isiolo.
“The Inspector General is ready to start offering them training. Within one month, the 100 will be ready to come and protect the people,” Murkomen stated.
He said the recruitment process would be community-driven to ensure only disciplined and reputable individuals are selected.
“The process to find good NPRs will be done by the county security team working closely with the local community,” he said, adding that the focus would be on individuals of integrity who are respected in their communities.
Murkomen also announced welfare measures for the reservists, particularly those deployed in high-risk areas.
He directed that the 83 NPRs currently in service receive special food support during periods when relief food is distributed to schools.
“Sometimes the small money that we give them delays,” Murkomen said, noting that he had instructed the Inspector General to prioritise payment for NPRs operating in areas such as Isiolo and Baringo.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who attended the meeting, said a joint security operation would be conducted in Isiolo, Laikipia, and Meru counties to curb criminal activity.
“This entire region has the same problem. The operation will target illegal firearms in the hands of criminals,” Kanja said.
He acknowledged that security forces may face some resistance but emphasized that the operation is necessary to ensure lasting peace.
“There will be some resistance, but at the end of it all we want security to prevail,” Kanja stated.
The renewed focus on NPR recruitment and the planned multi-county operation comes amid growing concerns over banditry, illegal firearms, and cross-county crime in northern Kenya.
Local leaders, including Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, welcomed the announcements, saying enhanced NPR deployment and better coordination with national security agencies would help restore public confidence and improve stability in the region.
