The Ministry of Interior and National Security has issued key directives to all security formations within the country as the December holiday celebrations kick off countrywide.
The government, through a circular released on Wednesday, December 4, directed all security officers on leave to immediately resume work so that they can provide additional security to the nation.
According to Interior Principal Secretary(PS) Raymond Omollo, a total of 10,317 officers have already been deployed and will be patrolling the streets to enhance public safety.
''I hereby direct that all Multi-Agency Command Centres be manned 24 hours seven days a week. This means that all Police Officers who are currently on Leave are hereby directed to resume duty with immediate effect and not later than December 5, 2024,'' Omolo directed.
The PS has also announced that officers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will be deployed at the National Multi-Agency Command Centre (NMACC) at Lang’ata Barracks to help regional security teams prevent security threats.
The KDF officers have further been directed to provide additional support to the law enforcement units by providing air support surveillance and logistics during the festive.
''Operational Coordination through the activation of the National Multi-Agency Command Centre (NMACC) at Lang’ata Barracks, supported by Regional (RMACCs) and County (CMACCs) centres to deter security threats and maintain public order. It will comprise officers from Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, and Kenya Forestry Service,'' the PS added.
Omolo, at the same time, advised Kenyans to expect more police presence on the streets, including those drawn from key special units such as the undercover and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) Unit.
The officers are majorly from Kenya's key policing units including officers drawn from the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forestry Service, and the Kenya Coast Guard Service.
''Kenyans should also expect to see more police presence and visibility, because we have deployed more specialized units including the all-female Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) Unit and undercover Officers, alongside the General Duty Police, to intensify patrols and heighten surveillance in the major towns, places of worship and critical infrastructural areas,'' Omolo stated in the statement.
All Border Control agencies have also been directed to secure security at all exit and entry points, ensuring smooth movement of passengers at all border points.
Further, the Ministry has assured tourists of their safety by announcing that police officers will patrol and provide security at all tourism destinations and sites across the country.
''All Regional and County Security Committees in liaison with the National Police Service and Kenya Wildlife Service, to put in place measures to ensure the safety of local and international tourists visiting resort facilities at Coastal Sea Resorts and inland tourist attraction sites, National Parks and Game Reserves,'' Omolo added.
''We urge all citizens to remain vigilant and to cooperate with law enforcement officers during the entire festive season to ensure safety for all Kenyans, and especially for the vulnerable communities including women, children, persons with disability,'' he added.
