President Kenyatta, governors activate County Policing Authority

President Uhuru Kenyatta in a meeting with governors at State House, Nairobi, on August 10, 2016. PHOTO | PSCU

What you need to know:

  • The 13-member team will be chaired by governors.
  • Governors are tasked with appointing six of the authority's members.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and governors have activated the County Policing Authority to manage security in the counties.

On Wednesday, the two sides agreed that the new agency would brief the national government every two weeks on the state of security in the counties.

Created under the National Police Service Act, the authority, to be chaired by governors, is meant to ease community policing and management of security in the counties.

Section 41 of the Act says the authority will be headed by the “Governor or a member of the county executive committee appointed by the Governor.”

Governors will appoint six of the 13 members of the authority from the business sector, community-based organizations, women, people with special needs, religious organizations and the youth.

Speaking to the Nation after the meeting called by President Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, a jovial Mr Munya said, “It was a good meeting.”

“We agreed on quick operationalization of the County Policing Authority,” Mr Munya said by phone.

Governors have been pushing to be involved in security issues to help address rising crime in counties.

As the country heads to an election year, Mr Munya said governors agree with the President that they have a key role to play in ensuring security during the electioneering period.