Governors bank on poll to push for security role

The Pesa Mashinani referendum Bill will include the devolution of security, Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’ has said.

Mr Ojaamong’ said the 47 devolved units’ bosses were banking on the outcome of a possible election to have a bigger say in security matters at the county level.
He said Administration Police officers need to work closely with county governments to enable them to respond quickly to crime incidents in rural areas.

“The officers have shifted to towns and where they have vehicles, only five litres of fuel is given per day,” said Mr Ojaamong’ during a fund-raiser at the Kasoko Catholic Church in Nambale on Sunday.

This comes as some security experts yesterday criticised the push by governors to control the AP.
Bedrock Security Services Managing Director Erick Okeyo Monday said although cases of insecurity are on the rise in the country, the function must totally remain with the national government.

Mr Okeyo said governors had failed to take charge of municipal askaris they inherited from the defunct councils and could, therefore, not manage running a larger unit such as the AP.

“We urge the governors to join the national government in its quest to secure the nation by allocating more funds in their budgets for the sector,” Mr Okeyo told the Nation in Kisumu.

SECURITY DEVOLVED

Governors, who gathered in Kisumu for the second devolution conference last week, stepped up their push to have security devolved. They asked for changes to the proposed county policing authorities, which they will chair.

But opponents to their calls have maintained that security requires a central chain of command, which they say is not possible with counties.
Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru last week rejected calls by county bosses to take charge of the AP.

“We cannot devolve security now as this will create two or more lines of command and create confusion rather than tackle insecurity,” she said.

Mr Ojaamong’ said Kenya should emulate Uganda, which allows even security guards to carry guns so that they respond to crime long before the police arrive.

“Insecurity has kept investors away. This has deprived our counties of development. It is important that governors get involved actively in security matters,” he said.

Nambale MP John Bunyasi said security can never be administratively a preserve of one arm of the government. He spoke during the funds drive in his constituency.
The legislator said the matter calls for concerted efforts by the people, and the national and county governments.

He said it would be difficult to arrest runaway insecurity in the country if corruption is not dealt with decisively at all levels.

“The National Assembly fully supports the war on corruption as it has a role in all matters of national importance.”