Murkomen Offers Free Transport To Journalists, Bloggers, Even Those Criticising His Ministry
The CS emphasized that the trip would provide journalists with a new perspective, as they have often criticized police officers without fully grasping the harsh conditions they endure in places like Elwak.
Marvin Chege 
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Wednesday, March 26, revealed that he would offer to cover the entire cost of transport to Elwak, Mandera County, for journalists who have been airing positive stories regarding his Ministry as well as those who've been criticising it.
Speaking during the National Police Service Development Partners Roundtable at the Kenya School of Government, Murkomen suggested that the media practitioners spend a week in El Wak so that they gain an understanding of the work and sacrifices police officers make to safeguard the nation.
The CS emphasized that the trip would provide journalists with a new perspective, as they have often criticized police officers without fully grasping the harsh conditions they endure in places like Elwak.
CS Murkomen remarked that some journalists might ask to return to Nairobi after spending less than half a day in the area.
Kenyan journalists during a past press conference. /ARTICLE 19
"I know it is very easy for people to sit behind their computers and write stories about our police officers. I see it so often. I wish that we could carry some of these editors, journalists, and bloggers—not for the whole day, but for half a day—to operational areas like Elwak," Murkomen maintained.
“I am ready, I want to request all the journalists who are writing very nice stories about us in Nairobi, I will give you transport for free and fly a good number of journalists to Elwak and I want them to sleep there for a week just to enjoy, relax and interact with the local people."
Addressing possible security concerns, Murkomen assured the scribes that they would be under police protection. He extended the offer to the media editors, underscoring the importance of the sensitization trip.
Murkomen argued that it was unfair for the media to keep criticizing the security agencies' operations, particularly when they were working hard to secure the borders.
“It is not that you will be alone; there are police officers there. I am giving that challenge, and I am ready to take some of our very good editors who are in Nairobi to Elwak,” Murkomen stated.
“That offer is effective now. If you are there for a day or two, you will change your attitude on how you report about our police officers and what they do, the sacrifices they make and the enemy they confront to protect our nation."
He added, "For your information, there are police officers there whom you are going to interact with alongside the local people. From that experience alone, you will change your attitude on what you say about police officers."
These developments unfold against the backdrop of growing security concerns, including a rise in abductions and attacks on security forces since Murkomen took office at Harambee House, the Interior Ministry's headquarters.
On March 23, suspected Al-Shabaab militants attacked a police reservist camp in Garissa County, killing six officers and injuring four others. During the raid, the attackers also seized weapons and other supplies.
Later that same month, a Kenyan police officer was killed, and another was injured in Mandera County in an attack allegedly carried out by Somali intelligence officers. The attack is believed to have been a retaliatory move following the arrest of individuals linked to a failed abduction attempt targeting Chinese nationals.
Additionally, five chiefs were abducted by suspected Al-Shabaab terrorists in Mandera County while traveling for official duties in preparation for President William Ruto's North Eastern tour.
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen commissioning the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Standard Duty Vehicles at General Service Unit (GSU) headquarters, Ruaraka, on March 6, 2025. /KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN
