Governors call for AP to be devolved

The push to control the Administration Police was intensified by governors on Tuesday.

This would help to combat insecurity, the county chiefs said during the second annual devolution conference in Kisumu.

They asked for amendments to the proposed County Policing Authorities to be chaired by governors.

Tana River Governor Hussein Dado, chairman of the Council of Governors Committee on Security, said their role in ensuring the safety of Kenyans could not be overstated.

“We need the AP under the governors and we can assure you that 70 per cent of the problems of insecurity in the counties would be solved,” he said.

Mr Dado said an earlier plan to devolve the AP was stopped by the National Government for unknown reasons.

TOUGH QUESTIONS

In an emotional mid-morning session moderated by security analyst Simiyu Werunga, governors took turns to voice their concerns.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, though lined up as a panellist, missed the session.

Tough questions on the government’s response to the Garissa University College attack that left 148 people dead on April 2 were asked.

Marsabit Governor Ukur Yatani chaired the panel. Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua, chairman of the Senate Committee on Security Yusuf Haji, Nominated Senator Beatrice Elachi and British High Commissioner to Kenya Christian Turner were part of the panel.

“When the county is insecure, people turn to the governor. If we have command of AP and how they are deployed, we would be able to ensure our people’s safety,” said Governor Dado.

Senator Haji stressed that the best way to tackle insecurity was by involving the counties. He faulted the laxity of the military during the attack on the university.

“You cannot win the fight against insecurity if you do not involve the people who live with the common people,” Mr Haji said.

Governor Mbugua, a former Administration Police Commandant, said the laws that govern the County Policing Authorities that he called “cosmetic”.