Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula further called on the National Government to come up with a clear plan of countering terrorism targeting innocent civilians by Muslim extremists/file
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula further called on the National Government to come up with a clear plan of countering terrorism targeting innocent civilians by Muslim extremists.
“We have previously called for a proper and well-structured security system in County Governments with proper accountability to the Governors’ offices. We are now calling for more direct coordination of security matters with county and more local administrations,” said Wetangula.
READ: Do we need to devolve security functions?
Wiper Party leader President Kalonzo Musyoka reiterated Wetangula’s sentiments saying the government needed to act fast and contain the security situation which was greatly affecting the tourism sector.
“Enough is indeed enough. We had called for a proposed constitutional amendment so that Governors – the 47 of them – have a direct responsibility towards managing security,” Musyoka added.
On his part, ODM leader Raila Odinga urged the government to consult with fellow leaders on how security could be beefed up.
They went on to issue an ultimatum to the government that if there were no changes in the security structure, drastic measures would be taken.
“If nothing is seriously done in the next coming days, then something else will happen,” threatened Odinga.
The leaders however refused to disclose the nature of the measures they would employ insisting that it was their last card which would only be put on the table when their turn to play came.
Meanwhile some members of the Senate have joined CORD in recommending the devolution of security.
While contributing to a motion by Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow over the security situation in Mandera, Busia Senator Amos Wako reiterated the need for the passing of the baton on county security to Governors.
“The National Government ought to be responsible for national security, but what we are saying is that I think there is place for the County Government to be involved in that process… there has to be a structured involvement of the County Government in the security system so that we have one chain of command,” said Wako.
It will not be the first time the devolution of county security is being talked about. It one of the issues being fronted by Okoa Kenya and the ‘Pesa Mashinani’ referendum calls and it is expected that it will gain momentum since President Uhuru Kenyatta in his address to the nation over the state of security hinted at the option of working with the county governments to enhance security.
“I also want to reach out, in a special way, to county governments, and especially those whose counties border Somalia. Let us never forget that as leaders, we are all sworn to protect the sovereignty of this nation. Your interactions with the grassroots place you in a vantage for purposes of preventing attacks and peace-building within and among our communities,” said Kenyatta.
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