Government to improve security as new administrative units established

Interior PS Raymond Omollo

Internal Security PS Raymond Omollo has engaged leaders on policy matters regarding the implementation and operationalisation of a newly gazetted administrative unit.

The PS on Thursday, informed the committee that his ministry is creating policies to guide the formation of new administrative units.

He confirmed that the cabinet's memorandum on guidelines for the formation of new administrative units is being drafted and will be presented to the cabinet for approval. 

Upon approval of the memorandum, a clear policy system will guide the formation of future administrative units

“The discussion followed the constitutional requirement, as outlined in the 2010 Constitution and the National Government Coordination Act of 2013, mandating that all administrative units must be gazetted before becoming operational,” PS Omollo said.

As a government directive, administrative units become functional in areas, prone to insecurity, facing minor representation and inclusivity, and largely populated regions with large land sizes.

Areas facing administration ineffectiveness need to establish new units that can enforce the law and promote stability.

“Regions experiencing persistent security threats have been prioritised for administrative unit establishment. This ensures the deployment of officers to coordinate security and development efforts in volatile areas,” the PS noted.

Some units will represent the minors in society who don’t have a voice, hence allowing them to access government services they would have instead missed out on.

Furthermore, densely populated areas need administrative units that ensure security stability in the region and enhance service delivery. 

“The Ministry has been addressing cases where a sub-county has only one division, leading to administrative inefficiencies. In such cases, new units have been created to balance jurisdictional coverage,”  the PS said.

The government has established 1105 administrative units as part of its efforts to enhance security in the region.

So far, the government has operationalised administrative units in 24 new sub-counties, 88 new divisions, 318 new sub-locations, and 675 new locations.

However, a formalized policy will allow for the rationalization establishment of administrative units to have consistency and budgetary support following the operationalisation.