Transnzoia county leads in sell of Busaa, Kagata and other illicit drugs as Kirinyaga county takes number 13 in the list
Security and Interior Ministry seeks additional Ksh 4.4 billion despite shortfall of Ksh14.55 billion to deliver on key mandates
Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs to get motorbikes from national government to help in mobility
The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has revealed that Governor George Natembeya’s Trans-nzoia County is leading in terms of alchohol prevalence because its heavy on traditional brews
In what is perceived as contrary to the county bosse’s long career in administrative and authoritative directives, one is left to wonder how his county is leading in selling and consumption of illegal liquor which is giving national government headache to combat it
The excessive consumption of drugs, alcohol and substance abuse has been one of the central fight squarely spearheaded by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ordering security agencies to help him in the fight against drugs and alcohol
Presenting Budget Policy Statement (BPS) for 2024/2025 FY, before National Assembly Committee on Security and National Administration, Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo, stated that the Ministry sought Ksh 49.78 Billion with a huge budget going to fight illicit substance
In the order, Kirinyaga county which has been named as one of the notorious counties in sell of illicit liquor where 20 people died is falling number 13 on that list, contrary to the much publicised bedroom for alcohol in the country
On ‘mchele‘ out of 5 incidences, only one person gets reported because of the stigma attached to it
“It’s victims are mostly men . It has already been reported to the NSC(National Security Council) and we are in the process of dealing with it,” Omollo submitted at parliament buildings on Friday 23rd February 2024
He underlined that the draft is ready to go to cabinet and will be submitted by next week before it’s tabling in parliament
However, PS revealed that they were allocated less amount of Ksh 35.23 Billion with a shortfall of Ksh 14.55 Billion hence requesting the committee’s indulgence to consider adding more to help the ministry undertake its key mandates pertaining national security matters
Out of the budget Ksh 7.4 Billion was for the modernisation of police security equipments where they receive full funding of Ksh 6.5 Billion in the quarterly disbursements
Under the shortfall, Ksh 9.9 Billion is budgeted for recurrent expenditure whereas Ksh 4.5 is for development vote
Additionally, Dr Omollo disclosed that three divisions have been operationalized and 20 locations and 25 sub locations which are now waiting budgets to be actively equipped with necessary tools
“We shall fastruck the process of recruiting personnel and we have engaged public service commission to expedite the process, by the end of this financial year, we shall have a number of activities running,” he remarked
He further revealed that the Ministry has budgeted Ksh 600 million for purchase of motorbikes for chiefs and assistant chiefs in the current fiscal year
“We need additional Ksh 4.4 billion more to enable us deliver on our mandate,” he said
The document expounds on the implementation modules and budget requirements needed to enable effective discharge of responsibilities within the Ministry, focusing on the Police Equipment Modernization Programme, capacity building and physical infrastructural upgrades for the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs).
The committee is chaired by Narok West lawmaker Gabriel Tongoyo deputised by Saku legislator Dido Raso who has roots in serving in military as Colonel
Rasso reminded PS Omollo that there is no need of having local administration (read assistant chiefs and chiefs) if national government would not adequately equip them with mobility and right infrastructure