Kimaiyo given Sh67bn to wage war on crime

Administration Police officers march at a pass-out parade. Police have been given Sh67 billion to fight crime in the country. FILE 

By FRED MUKINDA fmukinda@ke.ntionmedia.com, Thursday, June 13  2013 

 

In Summary

• Sh4 billion, he said, would be used to buy security equipment, another Sh4.5 billion for enhanced operations, and a further Sh1.5 billion “for enhanced crime research and investigation to understand crime dynamics and enable the law enforcers to come up with appropriate strategies for crime prevention.”

Police have been given Sh67 billion to fight crime in the country.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said the economy would rely heavily on improved security.

He said priority would be given to increasing police patrols, researching on crime trends, providing equipment and vehicles as well as building houses for police officers.

“The maintenance of law and order for the safety and security of our citizens and protection of property is a key factor in determining economic stability, encouraging investments, accelerating growth and in turn creating employment.

“We must therefore do everything possible to ensure security prevails in all parts of the country and that our economy is not held back from achieving its full potential,” Mr Rotich said.

Sh4 billion, he said, would be used to buy security equipment, another Sh4.5 billion for enhanced operations, and a further Sh1.5 billion “for enhanced crime research and investigation to understand crime dynamics and enable the law enforcers to come up with appropriate strategies for crime prevention.”

Sh3 billion would also be allocated to lease 1,200 police cars every year “to make sure there is police visibility in all parts of Kenya.”

Another Sh1.2 billion would go into building 2,000 new houses for the officers through the National Housing Corporation.

The amount is just slightly over half of what the Police Service had requested. Inspector General David Kimaiyo had asked for Sh120 billion.

But even though Mr Kimaiyo’s estimates were slashed, it was still a significant boost for the police compared to the previous financial year when it was allocated Sh50 billion.

The previous regime had also estimated that police would need Sh55 billion in the 2013/14 financial year.

Director of Criminal Investigations Ndegwa Muhoro said the funds would be used to boost the forensic capacity of the service.

“Focus would be on emerging crime trends and how to tackle them in order to be proactive,” he said.