Opposition chief Raila Odinga on Tuesday asked the State to devolve part of the security industry to help fight terror.
Raila said there was need for both national and devolved governments to jointly fight terror.
He spoke hours after the Mandera terrorist attack in which 12 people died.
"As we mourn the departed and comfort the bereaved, we wish to renew our appeal to the national government to consider coming up with a program, jointly with the Council of Governors, on how to shoulder the security function and ensure county and national governments come together and share best practices to fight security threats," Raila said in a statement sent to newsrooms.
"While the national government has the constitutional mandate to provide leadership on matters of national security, the changing threats demand that other levels of government be carried along to play a collaborative and not spectator role in this critical area."
During the attack, militants attacked Bishaare Hotel in Mandera town on Tuesday 3am killing 12 people.
The suspected Al Shabaab militants attacked the hotel's lodgings with grenades.
Six people were however, rescued during the attack.
Mandera and other parts of Northern Kenya have of recent become prone to attacks by militants said to be domiciled in Somalia.
The worst attack happened at the Garissa University College in which 147 people were killed.