Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has extended the designation of 13 areas in Marsabit County as security-disturbed and dangerous.

The CS in a gazette notice dated Friday, July 1, announced that the declaration made on May 9, 2025, which designated the 13 areas as dangerous, would remain in effect for the next 30 days.

The 13 regions include Hillo Orofa, Hillo Walkite, Hillo Tanzania, Hillo Irress Abamartille, Hillo Gootu and Hillo Tessum, Qalicha, Hillo Karray, Hillo Hudda, Hillo Qoranjido, Hillo Irress Shindia, Hillo Rabaalee and Hillo Haroressa.

According to Murkomen, he decided to designate the aforementioned regions as insecure and dangerous after consultations with the National Security Council.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during ID registration exercise in Matuga Sub-County in Kwale on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

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Kipchumba Murkomen

"In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 106(6) of the National Police Service Act, 2011, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration extends the declaration made on May 9, 2025, declaring parts of Marsabit County as security disturbed and dangerous," read part of the gazette notice.

"This notice shall take effect on July 11, 2025, from 6:30 pm, for 30 days and may be withdrawn or continued in force for such further period as the Cabinet Secretary may, by notice in the Gazette, direct," the notice added.

The declaration by CS Murkomen was supported by the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, who banned the possession of firearms in the 13 designated areas.

Those in possession of firearms in the affected areas were directed to immediately surrender them to the nearest police station or National Government Administration offices.

According to Kanja, all firearms surrendered would be returned to their owners upon the revocation or termination of the notice.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 106(2)(a) of the National Police Service Act, 2011, the Inspector-General of Police prohibits the possession of arms in the following parts of Marsabit County declared as security disturbed and dangerous," read the notice.

"Upon the taking effect of this notice, all inhabitants of the said areas are ordered, with immediate effect, to surrender all arms in their possession to the nearest police station," it added.

The latest move comes amid enhanced efforts by the government to tame violence and disarm illegal groups causing anarchy in the region. 

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja (right) with NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga during a past briefing on May 9, 2025.

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NPS