Don’t replace policing, warns lobby

Tanzanian High Commissioner to Kenya Dr Batilda Buriani (left) and National Taskforce on Community Policing Chairman Joseph Kaguthi yesterday during a plenary session of the Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations where the Nyumba Kumi project dominated the talks. [PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD]

By JOACKIM BWANA                                    

Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (Kara) has said the Nyumba Kumi initiative is a strategy to promote security but should not be considered as an alternative to policing.

Speaking during Kara’s 33rd monthly talk series, National Taskforce on Community Policing Chairman Joseph Kaguthi emphasised the need for coordination between the police, citizens and leaders in the implementation of the Nyumba Kumi initiative.

“We as citizens need to police ourselves. The police should help us keep order and ensure people respect the rule of law. Also in urban areas, landlords and tenants need to share information with the police to curb high crime rates in cities,” Kaguthi said.

Kaguthi said they would come up with a legal framework, checks and balance and evaluation systems to avoid making past mistakes and successively realise the initiative.

“We have a role to actualise a massive civic campaign that will enlighten the public on sector policing in urban centres,” he said.

Tanzanian High Commissioner to Kenya Dr Batilda Buriani said the Nyumba Kumi project is possible since it has worked in Tanzania where they have a hierarchical structure for different leaders in the community.

“We have Nyumba Kumi leaders known as balozi, urban and street leaders, ward (kata) leader, ward, divisional, district and regional leaders who work together to ensure that security at both national and local levels is enhanced,” Buriani said.

EXISTING SYNERGIES

She, however, said that citizens should not take the initiative to intrude into people’s private lives. She further warned that unless it is complemented by building on other existing synergies, Nyumba Kumi could be easily abused.

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo has blamed the high rate of insecurity on the country’s porous borders.

He said the country shares border with some unstable governments leading to an influx of refugees into Kenya.

This provides a safe haven for criminal gangs who easily sneak in fire arms used to commit crime.