Politics and policy
By NEVILLE OTUKI
In Summary
- Nkaissery, a retired Major-General, said his top priority would be to improve coordination among security organs.
Kenya’s new Cabinet Secretary for
Interior and Co-ordination of National Government has vowed to curb
insecurity using his military experience.
Joseph Nkaissery, a retired Major-General,
said his top priority would be to improve coordination among security
organs moments after he was sworn in at State House Nairobi on
Wednesday.
“I will exert my energies and
past experience to ensure Kenyans are safe,” Maj-Gen (Rtd) Nkaissery
told the press at Harambee House – his new office. “I will not let
Kenyans down.”
He added that he would ensure
police do not infringe on the rights of people following the enactment
of the controversial security laws.
President Kenyatta picked him
early this month and dropped outgoing CS Joseph ole Lenku following the
escalation of terror attacks by Al-Shabaab militants and killings
related to cattle rustling in northern Kenya. The appointment saw him
resign as Member of Parliament for Kajiado Central, leaving the seat
vacant.
Mr Nkaissery is widely expected
to tame the rising wave of insecurity blamed on extremists and according
to security analysts, exacerbated by a dysfunctional National Police
Service command structure.
His ministry’s core function is
to ensure Kenya is safe and secure and to coordinate national government
functions. The police, immigration, prisons and correctional services
departments fall under his docket.
Mr Nkaissery said that he would boost the capacity of the police to better perform their duties.
President Kenyatta nominated Mr
Nkaissery hours after Al-Shabaab terrorists killed 36 quarry workers in
Mandera County. A week earlier, militants in the same area had shot dead
28 non-Muslim Kenyans travelling in a Nairobi-bound bus.
Kenya’s tourism sector has also suffered this year as the terror threats kept visitors away.
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