Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru has dismissed governor’s calls for devolution of the security sector.
Speaking to journalists at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu County where the second annual devolution conference is being held, Waiguru said as per the constitution, security is the national government’s obligation and cannot be given to counties.
Waiguru added that county governments are always involved in security matters and there is no need for devolving security.
She said police should get orders from a central point and devolving the department will create loopholes in taking orders.
Governors have stay put that for Kenyans to feel safe, security should be relinquished to county governments because they are in a position to reach the citizen at the grassroots in case there is an emergency.
Waiguru's sentiments come when governors have vowed to push the government to hand over the security docket to the county governments.
In their 'Pesa Mashinani' campaign which will be launched soon, governors are planning to include donation of security to counties as an item on the list of referendum issues.
The governors are discussing a myriad of issues in the ongoing conference in Kisumu.
The conference ends today after which recommendations will be made on how to step up devolution.