NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 12 – The government has made massive allocations to improve security in the 2014-15 financial year.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich says Sh62.2 billion has been set aside for policing services, Sh71.3 billion for the Kenya Defence Forces and Sh17.4 billion for the National Security Intelligence.
Presenting the 2014-15 Budget statement in the National Assembly, he stated that the move was aimed at ensuring the country is fully secured against threats experienced in recent months.
Rotich also said to enhance police mobility, the Government will spend Sh6.7 billion to lease 2,700 motor vehicles and aircraft.
“This will enhance ground patrol and crime response by the police in the country,” he stated. “Through this budget, we have continued to prioritise the strengthening of our security systems.”
He highlighted key programmes that are being rolled out, among them enhancement of surveillance in the country through installation of CCTV cameras in major cities across the country.
To increase police numbers, he announced that the government will use Sh2.9 billion for police recruitment and training.
Some 10,000 police officers will be recruited adding to the 8,000 officers who graduated this year.
To enhance police operations, the government will use Sh3.3 billion and Sh3.5 billion for upgrade of police equipment and modernisation.
The National Police Service have also been allocated Sh1.3 billion to cater for police housing saying that this will “empower officers to live in dignity.”
On poaching, which has threatened the country’s wildlife heritage, the Cabinet Secretary has provided Sh1.8 billion to enhance the anti-poaching war.
For enhancing security at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, he has set Sh1.3 billion.
This comes as the Government vows to deal with insecurity across in the country specifically terror attacks.
The security situation has widely affected the economy of the country but Rotich says with the funding, the situation is set to improve.
He said the new measures will improve the business environment in the country.
Tax consultant James Mulili says the budget on security will boost morale within the police service, more so the Sh1.6 billion medical insurance.
“Look at what happened in 2002 after the NARC government took charge…the police were motivated and this translated to quality service to the public. It was the only time you could have walked along Moi Avenue safely at night,” he stated.
“But the Government needs to check on the cost of living…police may be having better living conditions yes; but can they afford other amenities?”
Speaking to Capital FM News, he said with funds being allocated at key areas like the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the perception, “that Kenya is on the wrong path may diminish.”
“But this is more of political battle between the government and the West. It’s a fact that the West is not friendly to this administration.”
“The other day I called my friend from Nigeria and asked whether there have been issued with travel advisories even with the continued Boko Haram attacks, he said no. Has our country reached this far?” he posed.
“When it comes to security, statistics show that there are more insecurity cases happening in United States and other countries than in Kenya.”
On the Safaricom tender, he says the process should have been transparent to avoid the controversy surrounding it.
“There was no urgency for single sourcing but it should be implemented to enhance security,” he pointed out.
Security gets massive share in 2014-15 Budget
