This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
On September 26, 2019, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i announced a major shake-up in Kiambu County's security apparatus following a two-hour closed-door meeting with top security officers in the region.
According to Matiang'i, the government has reorganized security and national government administration in Kiambu to deal with rampant insecurity. He directed Central Regional Commissioner Wilfred Nyagwanga to ensure all vacant positions for chiefs and their assistants in the county were filled by October 15.
The move comes in the wake of reported cases of murder, rape, defilement, and robberies reaching alarming levels in the region. Matiang'i warned criminal gangs perpetuating insecurity in the area that their days were numbered.
“What we are witnessing here is very frustrating. Our job, however, is to fix this problem and we shall fix it. I want to assure you that this job will be done,” said Matiang’i.
He also vowed to be tough on the criminals, adding that he would be following in the footsteps of the once powerful and feared Internal Security Minister John Michuki, who is remembered for crashing the reemergence of the Mungiki gang in central Kenya during his reign as Internal Security Minister under retired President Mwai Kibaki.
“We'll comb this place until criminals will have no place to hide. If any of you here knows them go tell them we will be very hard on them. People must be left to live and do their jobs in peace,” he said.
