Regional and county commissioners get new powers on security

Regional and county commissioners have been given sweeping powers on security.

They will also direct and coordinate all central government functions and programmes.

It is one of the measures taken to restructure the provincial administration to align it with the Constitution.

This is contained in a report to Parliament and the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution.

“The National Administrative Officers are representatives of the President in their areas of jurisdiction,” the report states.

The administrators will chair all security meetings and report directly to the Interior Cabinet Secretary.

PUBLIC VIEWS SOUGHT

Governors have been demanding that they be allowed to take charge of security in counties even though the Constitution clearly states that security is a national government function.

Interior Ministry Principal Secretary Monica Juma said officials relied on the views of Kenyans to compile the report.

On Thursday, the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution gave Kenyans up to Tuesday to submit their views.

Regional commissioners will be in charge of a cluster of counties, in the same way provincial commissioners were in charge of provinces.

Below them will be county commissioners, who will be in charge of counties, just like the district commissioners of old.

They will be assisted by deputy county commissioners, who will replace district officers in the old order, and below them will be assistant county commissioners, chiefs and assistant chiefs.

The administrators will chair security committees and submit weekly reports to their superiors. They will also ensure that the decisions of the various security committees under their watch are implemented.

STAFF TURNOVER

They will also manage and report on the performance of the Huduma Centres, monitor the implementation of flagship government projects and co-ordinate the performance of departments.

They will promote good governance, accountability and people’s participation in government programmes.

The administrators will also read presidential speeches during national days.

They will be the official government spokespersons and liaison officers in inter-governmental relations.

Regional commissioners will mobilise resources across counties to support security operations. They will arbitrate conflicts or security threats across counties.

The government states the Public Service Commission will finalise the scheme of service for the administrators and deal with the high turnover of staff.

It also plans to work with Parliament for a legislative framework defining the mechanisms for inter-governmental relations at the counties.