Murkomen announces border post in West Pokot to curb smuggling

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced plans to establish a One-Stop Border Post in West Pokot County to curb the smuggling of illegal firearms, drugs and illicit alcohol.

Murkomen said the facility, to be built in Konyao, would strengthen border security while allowing legitimate cross-border trade to continue.

“The border post will ensure that as we facilitate legitimate cross-border trade, criminals do not enter our country and illicit alcohol does not find its way into Kenya,” he said.

Murkomen spoke on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, while accompanying President William Ruto during a development tour of West Pokot County.

The proposed facility is expected to help authorities monitor cross-border movement and address criminal activities linked to smuggling.

During the tour, Ruto launched the upgrading to bitumen standard of the 24-kilometre Konyao-Kiwawa-Alale Road, which is expected to improve transport and ease the movement of people and goods.

The president also flagged off the Kacheliba Last Mile Connectivity Project, which seeks to extend electricity access to more households and businesses.

The projects form part of the government’s development programme in the region, where poor road networks and limited infrastructure have affected access to services and markets.

Improved roads are expected to make it easier for residents to transport agricultural produce, access essential services and conduct business across the area.

The proposed border post will add a security component to the ongoing infrastructure projects, with authorities seeking to address smuggling while supporting economic activity.

The announcement came a day after Murkomen called for faster infrastructure development in the Kerio Valley, saying improved roads and other projects were necessary to address insecurity.

Speaking in Kinyach, Baringo North Constituency, on Tuesday, October 13, the CS attended the launch of the Kipsaraman-Kinyach Road and the flag-off of the Baringo North Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Project.

He said President Ruto had directed the National Security Council to prioritise development in communities that had abandoned cattle rustling and other criminal activities.

“Your Excellency, you gave us a directive at the National Security Council that because these communities have abandoned cattle theft and the killing of people, including children, women and the elderly, they should be given development,” Murkomen said.

He also credited cooperation between residents, chiefs and village elders with helping to remove illegal firearms from the Kerio Valley belt.

Murkomen described Ruto as “the only President who understands that the only solution to banditry is development in this area.”

He called for more roads linking communities, saying better connectivity would support security operations and economic activities.

The proposed Konyao border post and the road and electricity projects are part of the government’s efforts to improve security and infrastructure in West Pokot and the wider Kerio Valley region.