Page 35 - MANDERA-COUNTY- THE 2019 MAGAZINE

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Improved security supports growth

Commissioner Olaka Kutswa
Since we started working
as a team on security-related
matters, there have been
major achievements, which
have seen a great reduction
in incidents of terrorism.

henever Mandera is men- matters, which made it impossible ‘Nyumba Kumi’ initiative to beef up security sector has also been in-
tioned, the minds of the to achieve the desired security security within the eight locations strumental in achieving the peace
Wmajority of Kenyans think goals, but since we started work- of Mandera East sub-county which currently being witnessed in the
of the threat of terrorism and Al- ing as a team on security-related also hosts the county and national county, which has led to improved
Shabaab militants roaming around matters, there have been great government headquarters. trade and other social, economic
the county spreading fear among achievements which have seen a “There has been intensive training and administrative activities.
innocent civilians. great reduction in incidents of ter- of the local administrators on the Terrorism has equally affected the
rorism,” explains Kutswa. Nyumba Kumi initiative in order local community who have either
County Commissioner Olaka to achieve the desired security been killed in suspicious and unex-
Kutswa considers this common He says the collaboration between objective. Every person regard- plained circumstances, or through
perception a misconception the county and national govern- less of his status in society is in- economic sanctions which have
which needs to be changed as ment had seen the devolved cluded in the Nyumba Kumi pro- left them helpless, and greatly af-
there has been quite a significant government recruit National Po- grammeme,” adds Commissioner fected trade in the region.
improvement of security in the lice Reservists, who have greatly Kutswa. In collaboration with the national
county. Reassuring residents and supplemented the national gov- He says there has been enhanced government, the county govern-
all Kenyans as well as visitors, the ernment security forces who have strategic cooperation between the ment in October 2018 organized a
Commissioner says security has been deployed in the region. security forces and local residents successful regional conference on
been bolstered security in the through interactions and informa- countering violent extremism that
region, minimizing terror-related Statistics from the county govern- tion sharing which has seen an brought together counties in the
incidents. ment’s Ministry of Public Service improved rapport and security in larger north-eastern and eastern
indicate that it has invested heav- the hotspots. region.
He says the national and county ily in security matters, facilitating He notes that non-locals have
government are collaborating and the hiring of more than 330 Na- been the main target of extremists, The political, religious leaders,
jointly working on logistics and hold- tional Police Reservists and the who for long have crossed into youths and women groups unani-
ing regular security briefs to effec- leasing of security vehicles for Mandera at will, caused mayhem mously pledged to unite and
tively stamp out the terrorist attacks prompt and timely responses to and returned to war-torn Somalia fight violent extremism during the
which had become a common oc- attacks and assist with daily secu- uninterrupted, but construction of two- day conference. Fruits of the
currence. rity patrols. the border wall and support by the conference have been realized
locals has boosted security. as evidenced by the communities
“Initially there was duplication The commissioner discloses that opening up and increased sharing
of work by both the national and the security committee in the coun- Kutswa says strategic partnership of information on Al-Shabaab.
county governments on security ty has already mapped out 102 involving all stakeholders in the