Why chiefs need their own police unit

Interior and National Administration CS Kipchumba Murkomen has explained why national government administrators, including chiefs and assistant chiefs, should have their own police unit.

Murkomen allayed fears that the operationalisation of the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU) will lead to oppression of wananchi by chiefs and assistant chiefs.

The CS said that National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) are extremely exposed and the full operation of the NGAPU will shield the administrators from constant threats.

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He explained that the officers from the new unit under commandant Charles Mutuma will boost the security of the NGAOs.

“These officers will be attached to the NGAOs. The officers bear the brunt of insecurity, especially in porous areas,” he stated.

Murkomen noted that NGAOs, especially assistant chiefs, chiefs, and Assistant County Commissioners, are under constant threats as they deal with criminals.

“The operationalisation of this unit is meant to address the challenges officers face and does not have an ulterior motive. If you engage chiefs in Elwak, Moyale, Samburu, Tiaty, Mandera, or Isiolo counties, you will understand the difficulties our officers face,” the CS said.

He added that some officers face hostility from the suspects who attack them, while others have had their houses burnt.

The CS spoke just a day after Mutuma was appointed to lead the new unit.

He will be reporting to Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli and will be responsible for overseeing the deployment of officers and ensuring they align with the security operations.

Murkomen also lauded security personnel across the country for foiling various security threats.

The CS said numerous reports of potential threats within the security sector are received daily and foiled without public knowledge.

“When Improved Explosive Devices are detected and confiscated every time, it is as a result of monitoring and following security leads,” the CS said.

“Each part of this country has unique challenges. For the North Eastern region, it is Al Shabaab threats. We have put in place measures to counter potential attacks and protect the citizens.”

Murkomen made the remarks as he kicked off his three-day tour of the Jukwaa la Usalama Upper Eastern Edition in Meru County.

He said the Jukwaa la Usalama town halls have provided the government with invaluable information both on cross-cutting security challenges and those that are specific to individual counties.

Some of the issues, like inter-county boundary disputes and land ownership conflicts, are widespread, the CS noted.

"Most of these insights would not have reached us otherwise," he said.

"Once we go around all 47 counties, our report will guide policy interventions to resolve the problems. Security concerns that are specific to regions or counties are being addressed by respective security teams on an ongoing basis," he revealed.

Murkomen said the northern part of Meru county, especially Igembe North, Mutuati, Igembe Central, Tigania East, Tigania West, Buuri East, and Buuri West subcounties, have for a long experienced cases of banditry and cattle rustling.

He, however, said that following the deployment of additional security personnel and equipment in the last two years, the challenge has been contained.

"To sustain the gains and eliminate the threats in the long term, we are enhancing the role of the National Police Reservists (NPRs), constructing security roads, and engaging communities for better management of grazing rights," he said.

Murkomen was acompanied by DIG-APS Gilbert Masengeli, Eastern Regional Commissioner Paul Rotich, Regional Police Commander Charles Naibei, Regional Administration Police Commander Lusweti Barasa, Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma, and other senior officials from the ministry.

The security team was joined by Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, MPs Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri), Rahim Dawood (North Imenti), Kirima Nguchine (Central Imenti), Julius Taitumu (Igembe North), Dan Kiili (Igembe Central), John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South), and Dorothy Muthoni (Nominated) among other leaders.