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Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge has called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to clarify the government’s position on the Kiganjo Police Training College, following growing speculation that the institution could be relocated or downgraded.
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Mathenge expressed concern over reports suggesting that police training might be shifted to the Kerio Valley, raising fears in Nyeri that the historic Kiganjo College could lose its status or be moved entirely.
“If a third police training college is to be established alongside Kiganjo and Embakasi, the Cabinet Secretary must state this clearly,” said Mathenge. “If Kiganjo is being downgraded, that must be announced openly. If a constituent college is to be opened in Baringo, we also need clarity.”
The MP emphasized that Nyeri residents deserve a clear explanation on the future of what he described as a “national resource” hosted in the county. He warned that relocating Kiganjo without proper consultation could have serious political and economic consequences.
“At this stage, I am simply appealing to Murkomen to state clearly what the future of Kiganjo Police Training College is,” Mathenge said.
While defending the institution, Mathenge acknowledged longstanding challenges with the surrounding Nyaribo community, where the police shooting range is located. He noted that the range is too short, leading to stray bullets landing in nearby settlements.
“Residents have reported bullets piercing walls and roofs, damaging property, and sometimes injuring livestock,” he said, adding that the National Police Service has yet to compensate affected residents.
Mathenge expressed support for relocating the shooting range if it addresses safety concerns but stressed this should not be confused with moving the entire college. He suggested alternative arrangements, including continued use of training grounds in Laikipia, which has terrain similar to Baringo and could be used for field exercises.
His remarks follow comments by Murkomen last Friday in Embobut, Marakwet East, where he announced plans to establish permanent police training grounds in the Kerio Valley.
“We are bringing a permanent training ground for police here,” Murkomen said. “Instead of going to Kiganjo, they will be coming here. The President has instructed me to hold barazas in Baringo, Marakwet, and Pokot to secure land, and next year, we will start the process.”
Mathenge insisted that relocating Kiganjo would require a major policy decision, including a cabinet paper and a formal parliamentary pronouncement.
“This is not a decision to be made casually. If clarifications are not made, this will be the first question I raise when Parliament resumes in February,” he said.
