The National Government has appealed to County Governments to support it in strengthening the operational capacity of the National Police Reservists.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo said the desired partnership was a priority agenda to curb security challenges such as banditry, poaching, perennial human-wildlife conflict, illegal logging, and environmental degradation.
The PS spoke Thursday, December 8 during the launch of the Narok National Police Reservists involving 592 Maasai Mara National Reserve armed security rangers.
“This is a model we want to employ in the rest of the country, particularly in counties with similar challenges like Narok”.
”In a pioneer partnership pact between the two levels of government, the National Government through NPS has provided 464 guns while the county government has procured operations vehicle and the salaries for NPRs.”
“The National Police Reservists have been vetted and approved by the County Security team and trained to take up the new mandate in liaison with the National Police Service Command structures. They will be expected to strictly adhere to the National Police Service Act as well as the Service Standing Orders,” said Omollo.
The NPRs have undergone training in various specialized training camps including at the General Service Unit (GSU)Training College Embakasi, Administration Police Training College, Kenya Forest Services Training College, and the Kenya Wildlife Enforcement Academy for Wildlife Management.
The PS however cautioned the recruits against misusing their positions and resources in their custody to harass citizens.
“Any cases of indiscipline or misuse and/or abuse of the firearm issued today will be met by the full force of the law. In addition, the NPRs will not be a tool for use by misguided quotas to settle differences; be it personal or political.”
Responding to concerns raised by local leaders, the PS urged National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) to ensure those engaging in teenage pregnancies, early marriage and female circumcision face the law.
“This is to put everyone on notice. We must change this trajectory and ensure that our girls are able to go through school so that they can be people like we are today and there is no debate about that.”
The event was also attended by the Principal Secretary of Tourism, John Ololtuaa; Narok Governor, Francis Ole Ntutu; Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, Maalim Mohammed and the Chairman of the Administration and Internal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, Gabriel Tongoyo.
