County Assembly Sergeants-at-Arms are set to undergo paramilitary training in a new initiative aimed at strengthening security within legislative institutions, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced.
Speaking during the 3rd National Conference of Sergeants-at-Arms in Machakos County on Friday, Murkomen underscored the critical role played by the officers in maintaining order and safeguarding Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) as well as assembly premises.
He noted that evolving security threats necessitate enhanced preparedness and specialised training.
“I understand there are challenges with budgetary allocations, but we can explore ways of working together to ensure Sergeants-at-Arms in our county assemblies undergo paramilitary training,” said Murkomen.
The CS explained that the proposed training programme will equip Sergeants-at-Arms with advanced skills in security management, crisis response, and protection of critical infrastructure within legislative environments.
The initiative is also expected to extend to Sergeants-at-Arms serving in the Senate and National Assembly who may not have previously undergone similar training.
Murkomen further directed county security teams to formally incorporate County Assembly Sergeants-at-Arms into their operational frameworks by including them in County Security Committee meetings.
He said such integration would enhance coordination between legislative security personnel and national security agencies.
“Sergeants-at-Arms at the County Assemblies should work closely with county security teams and be included in County Security Committee meetings,” he directed, stressing the importance of collaboration in addressing emerging threats.
The Interior CS emphasised that closer cooperation between Parliament, county assemblies, and security agencies is essential to ensuring that legislative institutions remain secure and functional.
He added that strengthening institutional security would not only protect elected leaders but also safeguard democratic processes at both national and county levels.
Participants at the conference welcomed the proposal, noting that the evolving security landscape requires more robust and coordinated responses.
They highlighted the need for continuous capacity building to enable Sergeants-at-Arms to effectively manage disruptions, enforce order, and respond to emergencies within assembly precincts.
The announcement comes amid growing focus on enhancing security across public institutions, with the government seeking to modernize and professionalize security operations through training and inter-agency collaboration.
If implemented, the paramilitary training programme is expected to significantly bolster the readiness of Sergeants-at-Arms, positioning them as a more integral component of Kenya’s broader security architecture while reinforcing the safety of legislative spaces across the country.