Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has warned chiefs and assistant chiefs against shielding criminal suspects or facilitating informal settlements of criminal cases.
The PS stated such practices undermine justice and compromise public safety.
He said all criminal matters must be handled through established legal channels, urging National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) to uphold the law without favouring individuals accused of wrongdoing.
Speaking during the commissioning of Makutano Police Station in Yatta subcounty, Machakos county, the PS cautioned local administrators against encouraging out-of-court settlements in criminal cases.
"All criminal matters must be handled through the established legal processes, without fear or favour," he said.
Omollo also called on residents to work closely with security agencies through community policing, saying the fight against crime required cooperation between the government and members of the public.
He urged residents to share information with security agencies to help identify and apprehend criminal elements operating within their communities.
"Each one of us must contribute for us to have a country that has security," the PS said.
He said the National Government would continue collaborating with elected leaders and regional administrators to strengthen security through improved infrastructure, deployment of personnel and provision of equipment to security agencies.
"The National Government will continue to work closely with regional leadership to strengthen security across the country by ensuring that adequate security infrastructure, equipment and personnel are deployed where they are needed," he said.
Omollo commended Yatta MP Robert Basil for supporting the establishment of the police station, noting that the government had already deployed officers to the facility.
"Basil has played his part, and we have now deployed our officers so that security here in Makutano, Ikombe and across Yatta matches the safety standards enjoyed in every other part of our country," he said.
The PS said the government remained committed to enhancing the capacity of security agencies to maintain law and order, protect lives and property and guarantee the safety of citizens.
Meanwhile, Basil challenged residents to elect leaders based on their development records and service delivery rather than political party affiliations in the 2027 general election.
The MP said Kenyans had for decades made electoral choices based on political parties instead of evaluating the performance of individual leaders.
"In this round of elections, we are not choosing political parties; we are choosing leaders who deliver real work. We have wasted 63 years electing leaders based on political affiliations," he said.
Basil called for a shift towards electing leaders committed to serving citizens, arguing that public office should be about delivering tangible results rather than riding on political party popularity.
"This time around, we are electing true public servants—people who actually work for the citizens, not politicians riding on passing party waves," he added.
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