Citizen Participation in Security Committee National Chairman Joseph Kaguthi (R) speaks during a Nyumba Kumi officials' sensitization workshop at St. Jude Catholic Church in Athi River, Machakos County on Tuesday, December 5, 2017. [Photo|MOwiti]
Citizen Participation in Security National Committee chairman Joseph Kaguthi has urged Kenyans to help ensure improved security by being the state’s ‘CCTVs.’
Speaking at a Nyumba Kumi officials’ sensitization workshop in Mavoko, Machakos County on Tuesday, Kaguthi said all Kenyans should know it is their individual responsibilities to safeguard their neighbourhoods and be their brothers' keepers.
Kaguthi said Nyumba Kumi is taking route though needs to be given time since it is a new security concept.
“As a committee, we have trained sub-county security teams across the country on Nyumba Kumi, the 47 counties are extremely covered,” said Kaguthi.
He said the committee had established and trained 300,000 Nyumba Kumi clusters in 300 Sub Counties in the country.
“Citizens need to understand why they are referred to as CCTV, we have created systems so that as you take your CCTV roles the transaction costs reduce to a minimum,” said Kaguthi.
Kaguthi said all corners and borders of the country will be safe if citizens embrace the initiative and promote nationhood as patriots.
He said citizens should not endanger their lives by openly giving information to security agencies and instead discretely send text messages to 22068 starting with their counties, location and incident.
“All government agencies and relevant authorities get the report once you send it to that number without revealing your identity. Report anything sinister you see, hear or experience,” added Kaguthi.
Kaguthi said Kenyans should put to task county commissioners and their deputies.
“Through the President’s Executive Order 3, he delegated responsibilities to county commissioners. We need to put the commissioners to task as the authorities to reduce costs of citizen participation on security,” said Kaguthi.
He said as a committee, they are proud of the 815 Nyumba Kumi clusters in Athi River Sub County.
“Citizens should be patient with Nyumba Kumi, we are proud of the 815 Athi River Sub County clusters since all are effectively participating in a culture we are just introducing. This is our first time to go listen to Nyumba Kumi officials from the counties for assessment,” said Kaguthi.
Kaguthi said the government has no funds to pay Nyumba Kumi members salaries.
“Nyumba Kumi is a voluntary effort, anybody who does not want to participate to step aside so that those who want can step in,” said Kaguthi.
He said Machakos will be a model county for the initiative.