#Manderaattacks :The deadly recurrence of attacks in Mandera is deeply disturbing. Every Kenyan underscores the urgency of combating organized crime. We owe this to all victims of organized crime, and to all those who are risking their lives every day in the defence of justice. The profits of crime, and the threat or use of force, enable criminals to influence elections, politicians and power and even the military. When State fails to deliver public services and security, criminals fill the vacuum. Organized crime is also a development issue. When the country is ravaged by crime and corruption, development and economic performance cannot take hold. The solution will never be found in collective punishment of communities, attacking civil liberties of the citizens and or deploying military to address internal security challenges. The National Security Council Chaired by Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, Council on Administration of Justice Chaired by Dr. Dr Willy Mutunga and Council of Governors Chaired by Mr. Isaac Ruto must offer sustainable solution to the unacceptable and socio-political stability threatening security situation in Kenya. You are all paid by Kenyans to ensure the country is secure and safe. Narrative of security ‘begins with citizens’ is abdication of duty and responsibility. It signals lack of legitimacy. The three bodies must urgently address themselves to the issue of institutionalization and professionalization of National Police Service and thereby separate the (civilian) policy function from the operational command function of police management. They have also to address themselves to the restructuring of the National Police Service into specialized units , County law enforcement structure to match the county boundaries and linkages, and Police Stations with various types of command and public scrutiny at each operational level. Also they should create the County safety and security advisory team which would advise the political executive in the County on policing and law enforcement matters and monitor the adherence of the police to Constitutional policy. County Policing Authority must be fully established and strengthened to coordinate County security and law enforcement policy and also liaise with, and account to, the local community. Finally, they should create mechanisms that require the Inspector General of National Police Service to every year publish police plans, priorities and objectives and table before National Parliament to enhance transparency in police policy-making and to enable monitoring of the efficiency and effectiveness of the police service. The three agencies should act tough to make National Police Service legitimate and acceptable in the eyes of the citizens, and clean and definite break with the past. The obsession with deployment of military to tackle internal security challenges has succeeded in destroying the internal security organs like police and Directorate of Criminal Investigations. It is curious little efforts are being made to overhaul and transform police. Yet is increased military role in internal security and public space. This can only be deliberate to obliterate and block transforming and building capable, credible and impartial professional police service. Whoever is advising Jubilee Government to deploy military everywhere and everything about internal security seems driven by other motives and will eventually destroy the reputation, professionalism and impartiality of the Kenya military.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 08:27:01 +0000
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