TURKANA – Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced a renewed government strategy to secure the historically volatile Kerio Valley belt, with Turkana County positioning itself as a primary beneficiary of the long-term stabilization effort. The multi-agency initiative links regional security directly to accelerated infrastructure development and effective public service delivery across historically marginalized communities.
Over the weekend, CS Murkomen was joined by Defence CS Soipan Tuya and EAC, ASALs and Regional Development CS Beatrice Askul Moe alongside leaders from Baringo, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Turkana. The high-level delegation launched Kolowa Sub-County in Tiaty, Baringo, and officially initiated a Kerio Belt Security Assessment Mission.
Speaking during the event, Murkomen emphasized that the state is actively building upon progress achieved under Operation Ondoa Uhalifu. He explained that consolidating peace gains requires expanding physical infrastructure and establishing local administrative footprints that bring key government services closer to citizens.
To strengthen operational capacity, the national government handed over 40 desktop computers to 20 police stations across nine sub-counties. Additionally, 81 motorcycles were distributed directly to local chiefs to enhance mobility, speed up administrative response, and improve grassroots intelligence gathering.
Although the official launch took place in Baringo, its economic and security impacts are expected to reach deep into Turkana South, Turkana East, and Turkana Central. These areas have faced decades of cattle rustling, banditry, and resource-driven conflict along shared borders with neighboring counties.
EAC and ASALs CS Beatrice Askul noted that lasting peace in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands requires community cohesion and cultural inclusion alongside firearm recovery operations. She described Operation Ondoa Uhalifu as a multi-agency strategy to mop up illegal weapons and establish a secure, predictable environment for investment.
Regional leaders, including Turkana Senator James Lomenen, Woman Representative Cecilia Asinyen, Turkana South MP John Ariko, and Turkana East MP Nicholas Ng’ikor, attended the launch. Government officials confirmed that the intervention aims to replace lawlessness with functional governance, paving the way for economic growth in livestock trade and the region’s anticipated oil sector development.
