The government has introduced a new plan that will see Kenyans actively involved in the security of their areas. The new plan borrows a leaf from the Baraza system and expands it to fit modern-day security needs.
The new plan, dubbed Jukwaa la Usalama, has placed everyday Kenyans at the centre of combating crime and insecurity around the country.
According to the plans seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the government will be establishing local safety councils as part of implementing the system. This is on top of partnerships with faith-based and cultural institutions to promote peacebuilding activities across the country.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior will integrate women and youth voices in security governance and institute civic education sessions on rights and public engagement.
Jukwaa la Usalama aims to strengthen public trust in institutions, enhance the performance of security officers and establish sustainable peace as an enabler of socio-economic development.
A review of the operations of the new system indicates the government will rely very heavily on data collected through the revamped National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs), especially chiefs, to allocate and divert police resources as well as create security strategies according to the needs of each area.
NGAOs include Regional Commissioners, County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs, and Assistant Chiefs, who will be required to track public sentiments in their areas.
The Ministry of Interior is instituting new systems to support Jukwaa la Usalama, which will, among other things, include a monthly reporting template for chiefs to track public sentiment.
The others are regular coordination meetings between County Commissioners and local security committees and short training modules for NGAO officers on civic engagement and trauma-informed response.
For police officers, the programme mandates that the National Police Service conduct regular operational reviews for improved complaint resolution and responsiveness.
Jukwaa la Usalama has already begun with the pilot conducted in Mombasa last week, and the government is now gearing up for a nationwide rollout.
In the first edition, held on April 8, residents of the coast raised issues that have been causing them sleepless nights. These are violent extremism and youth radicalisation, drug and substance abuse, and disputes and tenure insecurity.
As part of the sessions, the government gave an immediate response to the issues raised, promising the creation of a Coast Region Anti-Narcotics Task Force, the formation of a Special Land Dispute Resolution Task Force, and the establishment of Youth Safety and Innovation Hubs and community-centric counter-radicalisation programmes.
