Uhuru, governors to draw up ‘Nyumba Kumi’ security plan

By ABIGAEL SUM

The national and county governments have agreed to work together to enhance security within Kenya’s borders.

They also agreed to formulate a national disaster response template to ensure efficient emergency response. This was reached during a meeting between President Uhuru Kenyatta and governors at State House Nairobi on Thursday.

An integrated national security management structure which will incorporate county commissioners, governors and citizens based on the ‘Nyumba Kumi’ initiative is set to be formed to keep Kenyans safe and secure from harm.

During a meeting chaired by President Kenyatta and attended by the Council of Governors and Cabinet Secretaries for Interior and Government Co-ordination Joseph ole Lenku and Devolution and Planning Anne Waiguru, it was resolved that county commissioners will work closely with governors to ensure the expeditious establishment of the structure at all administrative levels.

The head of state assured the governors of his willingness to work with county governments on security matters and directed Ole Lenku to meet the Council of Governors to implement all resolutions of the meeting.

The two levels of government agreed to take immediate steps to link security-related technologies such as CCTV, into one integrated platform as well as improve community policing, especially in border counties, to tighten loopholes currently being exploited by people illegally crossing into Kenyan territory.

The resolution between county and national governments comes in the wake of the terror attack last month at Westgate Mall that claimed the lives of at least 67 people.

They resolved that a national disaster preparedness and response mechanism, with focal points in every county, be established to equip the country with better capabilities of dealing with disasters and emergencies such at the Westgate siege.

Meanwhile, the Council of Governors led by its chairman Isaac Ruto presented President Uhuru with Sh4.7 million to go towards the support of the Westgate Mall attack victims’ fund.