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• Thu Apr 17 2025

On April 8, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen held the inaugural Jukwaa la Usalama in the coastal region

The forum by Murkomen was meant to address the pressing security issues affecting communities in coastal Kenya

Among the major topics discussed at the forum chaired by Murkomen were violent extremism and youth radicalism

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Mombasa- In a step toward inclusive security governance, the inaugural Jukwaa la Usalama Pwani Edition, held on April 8, 2025, tackled pressing security issues that affect communities in coastal Kenya.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen speaking in Mombasa recently. Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen.

Source: Facebook

The forum, a vital part of the Kenya Kwanza administration's commitment to participatory security governance, emphasised the need for citizen involvement in shaping policies that impact public safety.

What Kipchumba Murkomen seeks to achieve in security sector

Under the leadership of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Jukwaa la Usalama seeks to bridge the gap between government, communities, and development partners, focusing on the active engagement of citizens in the security process.

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The initiative aims to transform Kenya?s security landscape, moving beyond enforcement to embrace dialogue, mutual accountability, and community-driven solutions.

This shift is in line with President William Ruto?s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which advocates for inclusive development and governance that places citizens at the heart of decision-making.

The Pwani Edition forum provided a structured platform for local stakeholders to raise critical security issues and propose solutions directly to government officials.

What issues were discussed at the Jukwaa la Usalama forum?

Among the major topics discussed were violent extremism and youth radicalisation, drug abuse, land disputes, gender-based violence (GBV), youth unemployment, and infrastructure and security response gaps.

One of the most pressing concerns raised during the forum was the issue of violent extremism and its link to youth radicalisation.

With rising concerns about the vulnerability of young people to extremist ideologies, the government responded by proposing community-centric counter-radicalisation programmes.

These programmes are designed to engage youth in constructive ways, providing alternatives to radical ideologies while promoting social cohesion and security.

In response to the concerns raised at the forum, the government unveiled several strategic initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity.

Among these is the establishment of the Coast Region Anti-Narcotics Task Force to combat the rising tide of drug and substance abuse in coastal regions.

Additionally, a Special Land Dispute Resolution Taskforce will be set up to tackle the growing number of land-related conflicts that exacerbate insecurity and social unrest in the area.

The government also committed to expanding GBV response mechanisms to provide better protection and support for victims.

This includes the establishment of dedicated centres for GBV survivors and strengthening partnerships with local communities and organisations working to address the issue.

Moreover, the establishment of Youth Safety and Innovation Hubs will aim to provide young people with safe spaces to learn, innovate, and engage in positive community activities, ultimately addressing youth unemployment and giving them viable alternatives to criminality and extremism.

The success of Jukwaa la Usalama hinges on embedding security governance into the community.

By encouraging active citizen participation, the initiative aims to make security a shared responsibility, with communities playing an integral role in promoting safety and stability.

Key community empowerment measures include the creation of local safety councils, which will give residents a direct voice in their security matters, and the integration of women and youth into security governance.

This approach ensures that those most affected by security issues have a platform to share their perspectives and influence decision-making processes.

The government is also introducing institutional reforms to enhance engagement with citizens.

These include monthly reporting templates for local chiefs to track public sentiment and regular coordination meetings between county commissioners and local security committees.

Additionally, short training modules for National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) on civic engagement and trauma-informed responses will help security personnel better address community concerns.

Jukwaa la Usalama is not just a one-time initiative but a permanent feature of Kenya?s governance structure.

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen speaking at a recent security forum. Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen.

Source: Facebook

Why Jukwaa la Usalama forum is important

Moving forward, the Ministry of Interior is developing a National Community Engagement Policy that will guide structured citizen participation, grievance redress, and feedback mechanisms across all levels of security administration.

This policy will ensure that dialogue and accountability remain central to the country's security governance.

The legacy of Jukwaa la Usalama will be one of strengthened public trust in institutions, enhanced performance of security officers, and the creation of sustainable peace.

By fostering an environment where citizens and the government work together to address security challenges, the initiative aims to transform Kenya into a more secure, cohesive, and prosperous nation.

As the Jukwaa la Usalama Pwani Edition concludes, it sets the stage for broader participation in shaping Kenya?s security policies.

The government?s commitment to long-term reforms, community engagement, and inclusive dialogue is paving the way for a future where security is a collective, shared responsibility that benefits all Kenyans.

Source: TUKO.co.ke