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Do we need to devolve security functions?

Members of the public who spoke to Capital FM News crew held mixed reactions on the matter.

Charles from Embu County warns of the move saying, “I don’t think it will help as it would politicise security…we might find a scenario where Governors send police to scuttle rallies held by opponents or even find Governors sending police to fight neighbouring counties in the event of rows. I think security is a very sensitive docket that should not be devolved.”

“I think it will even worsen the situation; not at all,” Ninah Gloria a resident of Kajiado County points out.

Kennedy Mwangi a resident of Kiambu County says: “Yes, because they live there; they live at the grassroots. The national government can’t do it alone, it needs you and me and the fact that devolved system is there, let’s use it to our advantage.”

For Robert Kiplagat, from Bomet County the move will only work if, “Governors are given powers to give orders to the OCPDs, County commissioners and the County Police Commandants.”

The problem of insecurity he says has been lack of proper coordination.

Rebecca Gichine from Nyeri County says, “I think it will even worsen with this political thing. Some of them are currently contributing to the insecurity in our country.”

She wonders, “What will happen if they chair?”

Aware of the magnitude of the matter, Nyumba Kumi initiative Chairperson Joseph Kaguthi told Capital FM News that he did not want, “to join the controversy…this may hamper our efforts to enhance community policing.”

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He believes if the initiative works, security will not only be a responsibility of every person but it will also boost police-public relationship.

A senior police officer who wished not to be named told Capital FM News that, “the National Police Service work as one unit across the country. Security should remain a role of the National Government. ”

“This will bring confusion to the way police operate… who will they receive orders from?”

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