Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo has issued a stern warning to perpetrators of sexual offences against children and dealers in illegal drugs and illicit alcohol in Yatta, Machakos County, directing security agencies to intensify enforcement and ensure offenders face the full force of the law.
Omollo particularly condemned the practice of resolving defilement cases through informal family agreements and financial compensation, insisting that sexual offences involving minors must be handled through the established judicial process.
The PS said there would be no negotiations or private settlements in such cases, warning families against shielding suspects at the expense of justice for victims.
His remarks signal a tougher government approach towards crimes that continue to undermine child protection, public safety and social stability in communities.
Speaking on Saturday, November 14, 2026, during the commissioning of Makutano Police Post in Ikombe Ward, Omollo directed police officers, chiefs, assistant chiefs and other national government administrators to work closely with residents in identifying and reporting individuals involved in criminal activities.
He stressed that cases of defilement must not be reduced to financial transactions between families, arguing that perpetrators must be held individually accountable through the courts.
The directive also places local security officials under pressure to demonstrate greater vigilance, particularly in communities where social pressure, intimidation or financial inducements can discourage victims and their families from pursuing justice.
Police officers warned against protecting drug dealers
Beyond child protection, Omollo turned his attention to the sale and distribution of bhang and illicit alcohol, warning that the government would not tolerate individuals who facilitate the trade or use their influence to frustrate enforcement operations.
He urged residents to volunteer information to security agencies about people involved in the distribution of prohibited substances, saying community cooperation would be critical in addressing the problem.
The PS also cautioned police officers and local administrators against accepting bribes to protect suspected drug dealers and illicit alcohol traders.
His warning highlights concerns about the integrity of grassroots security structures, where the effectiveness of government interventions often depends on the willingness of officers to act impartially.
By specifically targeting officials accused of taking bribes, Omollo sought to make it clear that the crackdown would not only focus on traders and distributors but also on anyone within the security establishment found facilitating their activities.
The government has increasingly emphasised the role of local administrators in tackling insecurity, drug abuse and other social challenges through intelligence gathering, public engagement and coordinated enforcement.
New police post brings security closer to 40,000 residents
The commissioning of Makutano Police Post formed a central part of Omollo’s visit, with the facility expected to improve access to security services for residents of Ikombe Ward and surrounding areas.
Located approximately 24 kilometres from Yatta Police Station in Kithimani, the new facility is expected to serve an estimated population of 40,000 people.
Its establishment is expected to reduce the distance residents must travel to access police services while improving response times to emergencies, crime reports and other security concerns.
Omollo acknowledged the contribution of residents who mobilised resources to purchase land for the facility, describing community participation as an important component of grassroots development.
He also recognised Yatta MP Robert Basil and the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) for financing the construction of the police post.
The investment reflects the government’s broader effort to strengthen security infrastructure outside major urban centres, where geographical distances and limited facilities can complicate policing.
For residents, the facility could provide a more accessible avenue for reporting criminal incidents, including gender-based violence, child abuse, drug trafficking and other offences.
However, its effectiveness will ultimately depend on adequate staffing, operational resources and the willingness of officers to act on information supplied by the public.
Yatta South Sub-County targeted for January 2027
In another significant announcement, Omollo disclosed that the government was targeting January 2027 to establish Yatta South Sub-County as part of efforts to bring administrative services closer to residents.
He said public participation had already been conducted and that his office would examine the relevant documentation before initiating the gazettement process.
The proposed administrative unit is expected to come with additional government infrastructure, including a Deputy County Commissioner’s office and a sub-county police command.
The proposed changes could improve coordination of government programmes, strengthen security administration and reduce the administrative burden on residents who currently travel longer distances to access certain services.
The establishment of a new sub-county would also provide a more direct administrative link between residents and national government agencies responsible for security, development coordination and public service delivery.
Omollo’s announcement comes amid growing calls for decentralisation of government services to address inequalities in access to public institutions, particularly in rural communities.
Chiefs directed to strengthen public engagement
During an earlier engagement with National Government Administration Officers and village elders, the PS challenged chiefs and assistant chiefs to organise regular public barazas to address community concerns and communicate government programmes.
He emphasised that grassroots administrators should not limit their responsibilities to routine government communication but should actively engage residents on issues affecting their daily lives.
Public barazas, he suggested, should provide opportunities for communities to report insecurity, raise development concerns and receive information about government interventions.
The approach is particularly important in addressing crimes such as defilement and drug trafficking, which may remain hidden where victims fear intimidation or communities lack confidence in reporting mechanisms.
Regular public engagement could also help administrators identify emerging security threats before they escalate into more serious problems.
Omollo further disclosed that a budget proposal would be presented to Parliament to address government commitments relating to Social Health Authority (SHA) coverage and the provision of tablets to village elders, who are already receiving monthly stipends.
The proposed support is intended to strengthen the capacity of grassroots administrators while improving their ability to participate in government service delivery.
Omollo throws weight behind Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid
Away from security and administrative matters, Omollo also waded into the political debate ahead of the 2027 General Election, expressing support for President William Ruto’s re-election campaign.
He urged residents to back the President’s second-term ambitions while also asking them to support Yatta MP Robert Basil’s return to Parliament.
The PS cited ongoing development projects as part of the justification for his political appeal.
His remarks brought an electoral dimension to an otherwise development-focused government engagement, illustrating how infrastructure commissioning events increasingly provide platforms for leaders to communicate their political positions.
The appearance was attended by Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat, Basil, regional and county administration officials, security officers and community leaders.
The bigger test: Turning security directives into justice
Omollo’s intervention raises an important question about the effectiveness of Kenya’s grassroots security architecture in protecting vulnerable populations and confronting the drug trade.
Defilement remains a particularly serious crime because its victims are often children who depend on adults to report abuse and pursue justice on their behalf.
The practice of resolving such cases through compensation or informal agreements can expose victims to further harm, undermine accountability and allow perpetrators to escape prosecution.
Under Kenya’s Sexual Offences Act, defilement is a criminal offence, and private agreements cannot extinguish criminal liability.
The law provides for prosecution and punishment of offenders upon conviction.
Similarly, tackling bhang distribution and illicit alcohol requires more than occasional police operations.
It demands sustained intelligence gathering, accountable enforcement, community cooperation and measures to address the circumstances that make young people vulnerable to substance abuse.
Omollo’s warning against bribery is therefore particularly significant.
A crackdown cannot succeed where the very officials entrusted with enforcing the law are compromised by those they are supposed to apprehend.
The commissioning of Makutano Police Post and the proposed creation of Yatta South Sub-County offer an opportunity to strengthen the local security system.
But residents will ultimately judge the government’s commitment not by the number of directives issued or facilities commissioned, but by whether children are protected, criminals are prosecuted, drug networks are dismantled and public officers remain accountable.
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