Police put in charge of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport disaster unit

By Cyrus Ombati

Nairobi, Kenya: Police are now in charge of the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) following last week’s airport fire incident, with Rift Valley PPO Levin Mwandi named as the facility director.

Mwandi was seconded there with a number of officers to oversee responses and coordination to various disaster areas. This follows President Uhuru Kenyatta’s order for the overhaul of national disaster services and creation of one coordinating agency to take charge during disasters.

NDOC has been operating from Nyayo House and has been seen as largely under-performing during disasters. According to our sources, Mwandi will be the main coordinator of the centre in liaison with other emergency service providers during disasters.

Single command

“There is a feeling the centre was/is not coordinated properly and that is why we have put an officer who will report to the Inspector General of Police to ensure smooth running of affairs,” said a senior officer, who asked not to be named.

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Mwandi will be liaising with the police, military, ambulance service providers and fire marshals in times of emergencies to ensure proper management of incidents.

The President also ordered the immediate placement of all security agencies serving within the airport under the command of a single senior officer. Nyanza police boss Joseph ole Tito has been named the new airport commandant with a new mandate.