Kilifi: The national government will recruit 10,000 police officers in the next three months to strengthen security in areas marred by insecurity and a shortage of officers. Speaking at a town hall meeting with the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), National Police Service and stakeholders in Kilifi, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen explained that police officers have been having a hard time patrolling some areas due to their inadequacy.
According to Kenya News Agency, Murkomen stated that the recruitment plan aims to allocate police stations with enough officers. He also mentioned that the government is working on a budgetary allocation to fill all vacant National Government Administrative Officers' posts. To enhance proper execution of duties, the CS said that the government is planning to purchase 5,000 vehicles for both police officers and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO).
Murkomen pointed out that almost half of police stations in the country do not have vehicles, while 40 percent of NGAO officers lack mobility, affecting the implementation of the rotation policy among police officers. He noted that the pressure on police operations, especially in border areas requiring specialized and experienced officers, makes it challenging to rotate officers without adequate resources.
The CS emphasized the importance of focusing on both manpower and vehicles to modernize the security docket. He stressed that ensuring the welfare of police officers and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) is crucial for maintaining security in the country. This initiative comes amid a surge in criminal gangs in Kilifi, Kwale, and Mombasa Counties.