The Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Affairs on Tuesday, March 7, called for additional funding for the security sector.
According to the committee, the increase in funding was prompted by the rise in insecurity in several parts of the country. The committee argued that government officials and agencies under its jurisdiction needed security to enhance mobility and combat emerging insecurity issues.
The committee is mandated to oversight the Executive Office of the President, the Office of the Deputy President, the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, and the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration.
Respectively, the aforementioned offices are headed by President William Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, PCS Musalia Mudavadi, and Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki.
"There is a need for adequate funding to all government agencies dealing with security matters, a move that would be a shot in the arm to the ongoing security operation to flush out bandits in the north rift," noted Saku MP Dido Rasso, who chaired the committee.
Additionally, the committee argued that the funding would facilitate the state officers transversing the country to restore peace and security in affected areas.
Other offices under the committee include State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, the National Police Service, the National Police Service Commission, and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
The committee met to review the Report on the Consideration of the Budget Policy Statement, 2023, for Ministries and State Departments under their purview.
Rasso emphasised the next budget's importance in prioritising adequately kitting security agencies to deal with emerging security threats effectively.
Additionally, the committee urged the Interior Ministry to review its ongoing North Rift operation and prevent the death of innocent Kenyans.
On Wednesday, March 1, Interior CS, Kithure Kindiki, likened insecurity in the North Rift to the Al-Shabaab insurgents.
"This time around, we will not retreat. Our security forces will stay in the banditry-prone areas for good," Kindiki told the Senate Committee on National Cohesion.
