Police agencies unveil Nyumba Kumi syllabus in training schools

The National Police Service Commission and the national task force on community policing have created a community policing curriculum for all government training institutions.

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo said there was need for a strategic structure that would inform the implementation and management of community policing initiatives.

Speaking during the opening of the community policing curriculum development workshop at the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute in Naivasha, Kimaiyo said co-operation between police and the community will improve local and national security and safety.

"We must realise that our survival as organisations depends very much on our adaptability, flexibility and continuous development," he said.

Kimaiyo noted for the country to achieve sustained reforms and performance, there was need for a standard document which provides for a road mark towards effective policing.

"We are seeking to develop a curriculum that will equip our officers with skills and competencies essential for managing community policing initiatives," he said.

He admitted his officers could not effectively serve the community without a sound conceptual appreciation of their work.

Addressing the Press, national task force on community policing Chairman Joseph Kaguthi expressed concern over emerging vigilantes adopting the name Nyumba Kumi.

He noted already there were over 44,000 cluster groups in Nyanza and Western Kenya that had come up as part of the policing initiative. "These clusters want to be paid and this is impossible as the role of Nyumba Kumi is to work with security officers in dealing with crime," he said.