A high-level security forum dubbed Jukwaa la Usalama – Lower Eastern Edition kicked off today at Kitui School Grounds, bringing together top national and regional leaders for a three-day consultative engagement aimed at strengthening peace, public safety, and service delivery across the Lower Eastern region.
The forum, which will run from April 24 to 26, begins in Kitui County, proceeds to Makueni on day two, and culminates in Machakos on the third day.
The initiative is led by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, and has drawn participation from both national and county-level leadership. In Kitui, the event was graced by Governor Dr. Julius Makau Malombe, Kitui South MP Rachel Kaki, Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai, and County Assembly Speaker Kelvin Kinengo Katisya, among other local MCAs, chiefs, and sub-chiefs.
In his opening remarks, CS Murkomen emphasized that the government is prioritizing community-centered approaches to security, urging leaders to work closely with wananchi, peace committees, and local administrators to resolve the region’s persistent threats—among them inter-community conflicts, proliferation of illicit alcohol, and youth radicalization.
Governor Malombe echoed this call, pointing to recent tensions and criminal incidents in Kitui as evidence of the urgent need for multi-level intervention.
He affirmed his administration’s readiness to partner with the national government in developing long-term solutions that empower communities, reinforce public trust in institutions, and prevent violence.
Rather than a top-down approach, the forum is adopting an inclusive model—engaging grassroots leaders, law enforcement officers, elected representatives, and civil society in meaningful dialogue. Discussions are centered around evaluating the current security landscape, exploring proactive strategies for conflict prevention, and improving coordination between security agencies and local governance systems.
As the forum moves to Makueni tomorrow and Machakos on Saturday, it is expected to generate key resolutions that will inform ongoing reforms in devolved security systems and influence future national policy directions for the region.
