Kapsabet, Nandi County – Thursday, July 24, 2025: Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to farmers in Nandi County, urging them to remain alert to rising cases of seasonal fraud and exploitation, especially from sex workers who flock rural towns during the harvest season.
Speaking on Wednesday during the 19th edition of Jukwaa la Usalama, a grassroots security forum held in Kapsabet, Murkomen cautioned that criminals and opportunists often target communities where farmers receive significant payouts for their produce.
“There are other activities here involving a very old trend that recurs during harvesting time. Certain characters come into town because there’s a lot of cash flow. We’ve discussed with our security team how to address this,” Murkomen told the crowd.
Government Developing Strategy to Curb Seasonal Exploitation
Murkomen assured residents that his ministry, in collaboration with the Inspector General of Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), is developing a comprehensive strategy to counter these social threats. He revealed that the government is considering deploying a special investigations unit to Nandi and similar high-risk counties.
Although he admitted that there is no official data confirming prosecutions related to these activities, Murkomen stressed the urgency of decisive government action to protect farmers from social and economic exploitation.
“We must not allow our hardworking farmers to be victims of these opportunistic schemes. Protecting their earnings and wellbeing is a top priority.”
Social Vices Spike During Harvest Time in Rural Kenya
Across Kenya’s rural counties, harvest seasons typically result in sudden surges of income among farmers. This, experts say, often attracts a rise in petty crime, prostitution, and other exploitative behaviors. According to a Nation.Africa investigation, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, and Trans Nzoia are particularly vulnerable during this period due to their thriving agricultural economies.
Security analysts have previously flagged the lack of structured financial planning among rural populations as a major reason why farmers become easy targets. The problem is further compounded by limited awareness, low police presence, and poor reporting mechanisms.
What the Law Says
According to the Kenya Penal Code, acts of soliciting or loitering for immoral purposes are criminal offenses, punishable by fines or imprisonment. Additionally, the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) encourages government actors to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods not just through market access, but also via community-level support and protection.
Community Urged to Remain Vigilant
The Interior CS also called on the local security committees and chiefs to enhance community policing efforts and encourage residents to report suspicious movements or schemes targeting vulnerable farmers.
“We urge farmers and their families to remain vigilant and proactive. Don’t fall into traps set by people looking to rob you of your hard-earned money.”
The Kenya Police and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) have reportedly begun mapping known hotspots and will step up surveillance in rural market towns, especially during late-night hours.
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