President William Ruto’s government has introduced a strategic and progressive initiative known as Jukwaa la Usalama.
This initiative, developed under the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, serves as a national platform for structured dialogue between citizens and the government on matters of security and public safety.
It places emphasis on participation, mutual accountability, and long-term reform. The official launch took place on April 8, 2025, with the Pwani Edition held in the Coast Region, officiated By Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and PS Dr Raymond Omollo.
Jukwaa la Usalama provides communities with a formal space to express concerns, share experiences, and propose solutions directly to security and administrative officials. Chiefs, elders, youth representatives, religious leaders, women’s organizations, professional bodies, and everyday citizens gather in open forums to engage with policymakers, enforcement authorities, and county leadership.
The Pwani Edition served as the foundation for this nationwide rollout. It was the sole forum held on April 8, with others scheduled to follow through an organized sequence.
This deliberate structure enables in-depth focus on each region’s unique security challenges. Oversight and coordination of the rollout process are under the stewardship of CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo.
“The town halls are open, candid and interactive to enable us to get an accurate picture of the state of service delivery on the ground, and the challenges government officials encounter in the course of their work. Upon completion of the nationwide tour, we shall compile a report for action,” Murkomen stated
Forums are designed to anticipate concerns and foster early collaboration between communities and security institutions. This approach reinforces the concept of shared responsibility and supports the prevention of threats through structured civic engagement.
The forums also mark a shift in how public safety is approached. Instead of relying exclusively on centralized enforcement, Jukwaa la Usalama supports the involvement of local actors who have a direct understanding of their surroundings.
“The engagement brought together elected leaders, top ministry officials, Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, security personnel, community leaders, civil society representatives, youth representatives, and members of the business community for a candid conversation on how to make Mombasa County a secure, peaceful and conducive place to live and work. The issues discussed cut across security, drugs and substance abuse, land invasions, tourism, citizens services, the welfare of NGAOs and security officers, alternative dispute resolution, and community policing,” Murkomen said after attending a Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Mombasa.
Jukwaa la Usalama is also aimed at rebuilding public confidence, improving institutional transparency, and promoting civic pride. It affirms that safety begins with understanding, and that effective governance is built on trust, accessibility, and continuous engagement.
“Security remains a fundamental enabler of national development. Without safety and order, progress in agriculture, education, infrastructure, healthcare, and commerce remains limited. Recognizing this, the Kenya Kwanza administration has introduced Jukwaa la Usalama as an early step toward grounding its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda in secure and stable communities. The initiative aims to ensure that grassroots populations are protected, heard, and supported, not only through economic opportunity, but also through the assurance of personal and communal safety,” says a government official.
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