Chaos is simmering in Kenya’s Upper Eastern region as land disputes and overlapping ownership claims fuel unrest, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed. The region is caught in a whirlwind of conflict, where the battle for land ownership is tearing communities apart. Murkomen painted a grim picture of the situation during the Jukwaa la Usalama forum, pointing to the absence of title deeds, multiple claims on single plots, and illegal occupation as the sparks igniting these bitter confrontations.
But that’s not all; there’s more trouble brewing! The CS didn’t hold back as he delved into the darker side of the region’s struggles. Drug abuse is on the rise, human-wildlife clashes are intensifying, and the notorious menace of illicit brews has made a comeback. It’s a volatile cocktail of issues that has left the community on edge, with safety hanging by a thread.
Murkomen didn’t mince words when calling for action. He demanded the swift implementation of the Okongo Task Force report, a move he believes could steer the region towards peace. Chiefs and police officers were also put on notice, urged to ramp up crackdowns on illegal activities before the crisis spirals out of control.
In a bold move to restore order, the CS vowed to tighten the noose on those perpetrating chaos, warning that the government would not sit back while communities suffer. The message was clear: It’s time to reclaim Upper Eastern from the grip of conflict and lawlessness.