Let counties handle security, says Raila

Cord leader Raila Odinga has vowed to push for devolution of security services to give county governors power to deal with cases of insecurity that the national government was taking too long to address.

Citing banditry attacks that have left hundreds of innocent Kenyans killed in pastoral counties like Turkana, Baringo, West Pokot, Samburu and Marsabit, Mr Odinga said Okoa Kenya referendum campaign will push for formation of county security committees chaired by governors.

“The security team in the county will be reporting to the governor to give updates on security situation in the region since they are well-placed to address the problem,” Mr Odinga said, while terming insecurity as a major hindrance to development in many counties.

The former premier said devolution of the security docket would check the rise in crime in the country and entrench peace for the sake of development.

“The new Constitution was overwhelmingly voted for by Kenyans and any scheme to kill devolution amounts to subjecting Kenyans to further suffering,” said Mr Odinga in Lodwar on Sunday at the annual Turkana Cultural Festival. He was accompanied by MPs and governors from the Cord coalition.

National Assembly Minority Leader Jakoyo Midiwo said that Cord will form the next government with Mr Odinga as the president.

Mr Midiwo alleged a plot by the Jubilee government to change the General Election date from August to December 2017, saying it amounted to extending the tenure of President Uhuru Kenyatta and the suffering of Kenyans.

Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire claimed that the national government was scheming to kill devolution.

This will deny Kenyans the opportunity to achieve development through equal distribution of national resources, he added.