- The Cabinet Secretary noted that the county has also stepped up the fight against illicit brews, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
- He said that so far, 258 suspects have been arrested and arraigned, and several illicit alcohol outlets closed.
Image: MINA
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said that security chiefs in charge of various agencies will be held responsible for any breaches that occur in their areas of command.
Speaking in Kitui, Kindiki said that the only time one will not be held liable is if they show that they took reasonable measures to stop or manage the said breach.
He insisted that all county security teams must have attainable security management plans in place, for the effective execution of their mandates.
"Every County Security Team is directed to adopt and implement a measurable Security Management Plan for maintenance of law and order, preventive security measures, effective command and control of subordinates and timely law enforcement," Kindiki said on Friday.
Kitui was his third stop after Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that the county has also stepped up the fight against illicit brews, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
He said that so far, 258 suspects have been arrested and arraigned, and several illicit alcohol outlets closed.
He added that 15kgs of bhang has also been seized, 22 non-compliant pharmacies and 19 non-compliant agrovets shut.
In Kitui, the CS who also made a situational review with the county security and Intelligence heads urged them to do all that is within their power to address the security challenges facing the county.
Kindiki said the resolution of disputes between farmers and herders, as well as disputes over administrative boundaries, remain another key priority area of focus for the National Administration in Kitui.
In his earlier stops in Tharaka Nithi and Meru, Kindiki said 242 people had so far been arrested and arraigned over the sale of illicit alcohol and drugs, in the two counties.
He noted that in Embu county alone, 116 persons were arrested and prosecuted, 296 alcohol-selling premises licensed contrary to the law shut, and 270 rolls of bhang were seized.
In Tharaka Nithi, he said 11,000 litres of illicit alcohol and 300 rolls of bhang had been netted and at least 126 persons arrested and arraigned.
The CS said that for the country to succeed in the fight against illicit alcohol and drug abuse, each county has to develop a sustainable long-term plan tailored to tackle its challenges.
"For the country to succeed in suppressing the manufacture, distribution, sale and consumption of killer brews, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, each County has to develop a long-term, sustainable plan that is suited to the local dynamics of the matter," Kindiki said.