- The budget indicates a reduction of money allocated for policing services by Sh1.5 billion while the allocation of salaries has been increased by Sh1.9 billion.
- The department of correctional services is set to lose Sh603 million
Image: PSCU
The National Treasury is seeking for an extra Sh19 billion for enhancement of security operations ahead of the August polls.
The money will be used for recruitment of 5,000 new police officers and boosting operations to ensure peaceful transfer of power.
The National Police Service Commission is set to meet next week to determine whether there will be a mass recruitment for the new officers.
If approved, at least 5,000 recruits could be used to man some areas during the polls as part of their attachment.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has already mapped out possible hotspots.
They are not traditional places as it has been in the past.
They are Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, Mombasa and Nakuru. Also being monitored closely are Marsabit, Isiolo, Laikipia and Tana River which have shown signs of early ethnic mobilisation.
The money will be used in mobilising security agencies ahead of the polls.
A supplementary budget submitted to Parliament shows the National Intelligence Service is also increasing its vigilance. Treasury CS Ukur Yatani has asked for an extra Sh2.2 billion for their operations.
Yatani also asked for an extra Sh15.1 billion for the Kenya Defence Forces. He says the 13 per cent increase in the army’s budget is for security support and salary shortfall related expenditures.
At the Interior ministry, Yatani asked for an extra Sh1.7 billion.
The budget indicates a reduction of money allocated for policing services by Sh1.5 billion, while the allocation of salaries has been increased by Sh1.9 billion.
The department of correctional services is set to lose Sh603 million. Its planned recruitment is set for next week amid claims of lack of funds for the same.
During a meeting with top security commanders on January 28 at State House, President Uhuru Kenyatta promised to hold a similar session in Mombasa in April this year.
Some of the police officers present asked the President to also facilitate them get field allowances, as is the case for officers attached to the National Government Administration Officers.
In May last year, the Public Service Commission and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission approved the National Government Administrative Officers’ field service allowance.
On this premise, as backed by a comparative benchmarking study, Regional Commissioners get an average monthly allowance of Sh80,000 while County Commissioners will get Sh70,000.
The lowest cadre in the NGAO, the assistant chiefs, will be entitled to a monthly allowance of Sh7,000.
There are about 10,000 officers representing sublocations, locations, wards, subcounties, counties and regions.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)