North Eastern Region Commissioner Mohammed Saleh has announced plans to arm chiefs and their assistants with guns in a move aimed at curbing terrorism in the region.
Saleh, speaking to the media from his office in Garissa Town on Wednesday, said that all the chiefs near the Kenya-Somali border, with basic paramilitary training, will be the first to receive the guns.
"We want the chiefs and their assistants to be fully empowered to be able to deal with terrorism in their respective areas of jurisdiction," said Saleh.
The commissioner also announced that they will be hiring new police reservists who have either retired from the military or the police to complement the existing ones.
He said that the reservists will earn allowances and will be charged with patrolling the border at all times.
"Our border is very porous and officers must be stationed there day and night. The reservists, together with police officers and the armed chiefs will work in co-ordination to reduce acts of terror," said Saleh.