By MKT Reporter
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has commended the collaboration between the National and County governments in enhancing public service delivery and addressing emerging security threats facing the county.
She was speaking during a visit by the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, who toured the county under the auspices of the Jukwaa la Usalama forum on Friday to assess the state of security.
Governor Waiguru hailed the initiative as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to working hand in hand with counties to secure communities and strengthen service delivery.
She emphasized that security was not merely the absence of danger, but the presence of peace, trust, and opportunity for residents. She noted that Kirinyaga is generally peaceful, save for a few concerns such as the emerging trend of politically sponsored chaos and violence.
On youth radicalization into crime and the menace of illicit brews, the governor called for a united front to dismantle criminal networks, illicit brews, rehabilitate victims, and provide alternative livelihoods. “We cannot normalize poison in the name of livelihood. Enforcement must be coupled with hope, purpose, and pride for our people,” she emphasized.
Waiguru also raised concern over the rising threat of miraa-related road accidents, through which more than 21 lives have been lost in 2025 alone due to speeding vehicles, particularly along the Mwea–Embu Highway.
“Our people are calling for stricter regulation of these vehicles, including possible rerouting and enhanced traffic enforcement, to protect innocent road users,” she appealed.
She further stressed the need to strengthen community policing and Nyumba Kumi initiatives, which she said play a vital role in intelligence gathering and early detection of crime.
“Security begins with the community itself. Strengthening grassroots structures builds trust and ensures quicker, more targeted responses by security agencies,” she noted, while also urging the adoption of technology-driven surveillance and digital reporting platforms to modernize security operations.
On his part, CS Murkomen said the objective of Jukwaa la Usalama is to transform Kenya’s approach to national security governance by bringing together local leaders, community members, and government officials to discuss pressing security concerns through inclusive engagement.
“We want to listen to diverse views on how we can better improve service delivery as well as security in the country. These forums have been fruitful, as many of the views shared have informed critical policy decisions such as the cash transfer fund for the vulnerable, as well as the training and promotion of administrative officers, which has reduced discrepancies within various ranks,” noted the CS. He added that the government is committed to ensuring that public servants operate in a conducive environment.
CS Murkomen assured Kirinyaga residents of the national government’s full support in addressing the highlighted challenges, affirming that security is a shared responsibility between national agencies, county governments, and citizens.
The forum was attended by senior national and county government officials, including the Principal Administrative Secretary for National Administration, Beverly Opwora, and the Speaker of the Kirinyaga County Assembly, Murimi Muteti.
Elizabeth Angira