Rising insecurity in Isiolo and surrounding counties has prompted the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to announce a plan to reinforce security through an increase in National Police Reservists (NPRs). Speaking on Tuesday during a security meeting in Isiolo, Murkomen said the current number of reservists is too low to adequately protect residents.
“I have been told we only have 83 NPRs protecting the people while those in conservancies are almost 400,” he said.
To address the shortage, Murkomen said the government aims to station at least 20 NPRs in each of the nine locations affected by insecurity. This will initially raise the number to 180 while preparations continue for additional recruitment.
“We have identified 40 NPRs, and now we are adding another 60 so that we take them for training,” Murkomen said. He added that the Inspector General is ready to begin their training immediately. “Within one month, the 100 will be ready to come and protect the people,” he said.
Murkomen highlighted that the recruitment process will be community-led, focusing on selecting disciplined and trusted individuals. “The process to find good NPRs will be done by the county security team working closely with the local community,” he said, stressing that priority will be given to people of integrity who are respected in their areas.
The CS also announced welfare support for the reservists, especially those in high-risk zones. He instructed that the 83 currently serving NPRs receive special food support during school relief distributions. “Sometimes the small money that we give them delays,” Murkomen said, noting that he had directed the Inspector General to prioritise payment for NPRs in areas like Isiolo and Baringo.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who attended the meeting, said a joint security operation will target criminal activities across Isiolo, Laikipia, and Meru counties. “This entire region has the same problem. The operation will target illegal firearms in the hands of criminals,” Kanja said. While security forces may encounter some resistance, he stressed the operation is necessary to ensure safety. “There will be some resistance, but at the end of it all we want security to prevail,” he stated.
The announcements come amid growing concerns over banditry, illegal firearms, and cross-county crimes in northern Kenya. Local leaders, including Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo, welcomed the measures, saying stronger NPR deployment and improved coordination with national security agencies will help restore public trust and stability in the region.
