National government administrators, led by Dr. Abdi Hassan, Chair of the Regional Commissioners, have urgently appealed to President William Ruto to expedite the deployment of police officers to protect chiefs across the country. The appeal was made during a meeting at the Kenya School of Government in Kabete on Tuesday, August 20.
Dr. Hassan highlighted the increasing vulnerability of chiefs, who have recently been targeted in violent attacks. “We request that the proposal to establish the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU) be fast-tracked,” he stated.
The proposal involves stationing five police officers for each chief to bolster their security as they perform their duties at the grassroots level. This move is intended to address the recent incidents where chiefs have been attacked, maimed, or even killed while carrying out their responsibilities.
Dr. Hassan also addressed concerns about the perception that National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) lack a role in security matters. Despite NGAOs not being listed as security organs in the Constitution, they play a crucial role in maintaining law and order. Dr. Hassan urged President Ruto to reinforce the NGAOs’ coordination role through an executive order to clarify their security responsibilities.
“Although NGAOs are not listed as security organs in the Constitution, their role in maintaining law and order is vital,” Dr. Hassan said. He called for enhanced allocations to the ministry to improve training, digitization, and coordination of national government functions, ensuring NGAOs can effectively carry out their duties.
The meeting, attended by Regional Commissioners, County Commissioners, and Deputy County Commissioners, underscored the critical role of NGAOs in the smooth operation of government functions at the local level. Chiefs, being among the lowest levels of conflict resolution in Kenya’s justice system, are in close contact with the public, making their protection essential.
