Governors Want Administration Police Placed Under Them

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru insists security is a function of the national government and that there cannot be two centres of security command.

Governors now intend to snatch the security function through the Pesa Mashinani referendum.

The Governors, who are in Kisumu for the 2nd Devolution Conference, are demanding to take charge of security by chairing the county security committees.

“Why can’t we be the chairpersons of our security committees? That way, I will access intelligence information to act upon,” said Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya. 

Kisii Governor James Ongwae says: “If indeed it is one unitary state that works through consultations and cooperation, then that in regard to security is missing”.

But the national government is not ready to let go the influential and lucrative security function. It maintains that the constitution had provided a framework where Governors get involved in county security matters.

Respond promptly to insecurity

“We cannot, at this time, think of devolving security. There is a framework for Governors to get involved,” said Waiguru.

The Governors also want to take charge of the Administration Police force, just like provincial and district commissioners did, during the defunct provincial administration system.

This, according to the Governors, will enable county governments respond promptly to security challenges or avert criminal activities.

“You see like the way administration police was answerable to Chiefs and DCs, we need a force that can be at the command of the Governor,” said Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo, a call that the devolution CS says will create conflict.

With the national government insisting on holding on to the security function and the law enforcement agencies, Governors now want to take the matter to the court of public opinion, by proposing amendments to the constitution through a referendum.

“We have put this in the Pesa Mashinani referendum which we will re-launch very soon,” added Oparanya.