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Crime in Kenya gets sophisticated

The report recommends that the country needs to embark on a re-training session for those in the sector on modern international security approaches, techniques and equipment/FILE

The report recommends that the country needs to embark on a re-training session for those in the sector on modern international security approaches, techniques and equipment/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 14 – A new report by the Governance, Justice, Law and Order Sector (GJLOS) shows crime in Kenya has become complex and has extended to sophisticated forms.

The report recommends that the country needs to embark on a re-training session for those in the sector on modern international security approaches, techniques and equipment.

Principal Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government, Mutea Iringo, says the security sector requires more resources and equipment to help address emergent issues like cyber crime.

In a two year financial plan, he said the sector requires Sh200 billion but have a shortfall of Sh82 billion.

“In certain instances, the escalation of the costs of implementing projects whose timelines inordinately exceed the initial planned implementation period also result in resource challenges,” he pointed out.

Speaking while releasing the report on Thursday, Iringo called on County Governments to work with the sector to speed up the process of decentralization of its services in a bid to improve efficiency.

Iringo however said that the cost of implementing programmes has increased as a function of the demands of the constitution and the need to decentralize programmes.

The report also indicates that the lengthy and complex processes involved in the development or harmonization of key policies and laws have delayed the implementation of the constitution.

“High levels of public expectations about the provisions of the constitution, and public perceptions about the pace of implementation have therefore impacted upon public confidence in the sector’s efforts,” the Principal Secretary said.

He noted that, “certain key institutions to support the Governance, Justice, Law and Order Sector are yet to be set up, in line with the constitution.”

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The sector also lacks adequate legal aid services.

“The fragmented provisions of legal aid services, and limited involvement of the State in the provision of legal aid to the public, have hampered access to justice,” he stated.

He said that lack of public awareness or misconceptions about the existence and functions of newly established institutions within the sector have also resulted in sub-optimal utilization of the services from these institutions.

The reports also put the government on spot for not expanding its facilities required for various functions by GJLOS.

“Due to lack of government facilities, sub-sectors have to spend significant financial resources to lease office space, with negative implications for other operational and programmed activities,” the report says.

The report further indicates that the country’s porous borders continue to pose a security challenge to the GJLOS, in terms of illegal firearms and the unregulated high influx of refugees into the country.

Iringo pointed out that for the sector to successfully implement its programmes and projects it will largely rely on the adequacy of allocation by the government and timely release by the Exchequer.

“In realizing this, the sector’s budget allocation should at all time be informed by the sector’s budget which is drawn from the sub sectors strategic plan and medium term expenditure framework,” he affirmed.

He added that there was need, “to change from reliance in donor driven funding to the Exchequer. Reliance on donor funding has proved to be unpredictable and unsustainable.”

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The GJLOS sector is made up of 14 sub-sectors with different but mutually complementing mandates which contribute to the economic, social and political development of the country as envisaged in Vision 2030 and the constitution.

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