OPERATIONALIZE THE COUNTY POLICING AUTHORITY

The insecurity being witnessed in some counties in the country should be a wakeup call for
both the National and the county governments to operationalize the County Policing
Authority. The failure to operationalise the County Policing Authority has denied Kenyans
the opportunity to contribute to fashioning of delivery of services by the police that reflects
their needs.
Established under the National Police Service Act No 11A of 2011 Section 41 ,the County
Policing Authority would have been a game changer in so far as curbing insecurity is
concerned in the counties .Both the national and county governments have been reluctant to
have the same implemented eleven years down the line since the enactment of the Act . It has
been plagued by distractions and delays.
The National Police Service is of the opinion that operationalising the same will mean that
counties will interfere with their functions but this is not the case .The National Police
Service is under the Inspector General of Police and that of the County Policing Authority is
under the Inspector General of Police ,Cabinet Secretary ,Governor and County
Assembly .With this kind of structure there is no way that the County Policing Authority will
perform functions of the National Police Service which are well spelled out under Article 244
of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. The County Policing Authority is a platform where public
participation is envisaged and constitutional values and principles to foster corporation with
the public.
The National Police Service should collaborate to ensure cohesiveness between the police
and the locals so as to enhance cooperation. The insecurity in some counties will be a
forgotten thing with the operationalize of the County Policing Authority .Deployment of the
army will do little or no in curbing the vices .With the County Policing Authority in place the
locals would gladly work closely with the relevant security bodies to fish out the few
individuals who have become a menace to them .These are people well known to the locals
and what is needed is collaboration between the security and the locals.
The argument that “Nyumba Kumi”initiative by the National government took precedence
over the County Policing Authority is hot air. “Nyumba Kumi” initiative cannot be the “ears”
and the “eyes” of the state in curbing insecurity in the counties .It lacks basic structures and
process of baseline data and as such the National government should stop the mistrust and
liaise with the counties to have the same operationalized.
President Ruto during the 49th passing out parade of the General Service Unit in Embakasi
emphasized the importance of community involvement in curbing insecurity .The same
words were echoed by the Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome when he appeared
during vetting he retaliated that the operationalisation of the County Policing Authority will
be a game charger and he will work with relevant to have the same commissioned with
immediate effect .It is four months down the line and nothing so far .
Our leaders have a tendency of politicking every issue even when it touches on issues of life
and death like insecurity in this case. Governors should spearhead security issues in their own
respective counties through the County Policing Authority ,and with the help of the Members
of the County Assemble and the locals cases of banditry will cease ,they know the
terrain ,they know the culprits .Wasting public resources deploying the army in such areas is
a waste of time and manpower .
The Chairman of the Council of Governors Hon Anne Waiguru with Interior Minister and all
the governors to see the way forward and commission the County Policing Authority with
haste.

Mirikau Moses Ombayo

Pupil West Pokot County
County Attorney’s Office