Murkomen Unveils 705 New Police Reservists, Announces Training for All NPRs Within 8 Months

 

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has presided over the passing-out of 705 newly trained National Police Reservists (NPRs), saying the officers will strengthen security operations in pastoralist areas and border counties affected by cattle rustling and banditry.

Speaking at the Magado Field Training Camp in Meru County, Murkomen said the reservists had undergone a one-month intensive training covering firearm handling, field operations, community policing and crime prevention.

The group included 11 chiefs and seven women, with Murkomen noting that it was the first time NPRs drawn from different communities and counties had been trained together at a single camp.

According to the CS, the joint training is intended to promote cohesion, intelligence sharing and camaraderie among the reservists.

Murkomen said the decision to train and arm chiefs from areas facing insecurity followed a directive he issued during his nationwide Jukwaa la Usalama tour.

He said the newly trained reservists would complement the regular police and increase the country's policing capacity in areas that continue to experience cattle rustling and banditry.

NPR welfare measures announced

The Interior CS also announced measures aimed at improving the welfare and working conditions of NPRs.

He said the government had ensured that their allowances are paid on time and was providing uniforms and boots. He added that the government was fast-tracking their enrolment into the Social Health Authority (SHA) while working to increase their monthly allowances.

Murkomen further announced that all serving NPRs will undergo training within the next eight months, as the government seeks to enhance their effectiveness.

The ceremony was attended by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat, Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, National Police College Main Campus Commandant Munga Nyale and Eastern Regional Commissioner Jacob Ouma, among other senior security officials.

The government says the expanded training programme is intended to strengthen community-based security operations, particularly in regions affected by recurring banditry and cattle rustling.