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{
    "id": 406574,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/406574/?format=api",
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    "content": "breakdown in the rule of law. The government in power itself needs security so that it can have an environment which is sufficiently conducive to administer or govern a country; and to execute the mandate and the various promises made to the citizens. The citizens themselves also need peace so that they can engage in activities which are beneficial to themselves; so that they can engage in activities which, in effect, help to build the nation and to advance the economy. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, security and peace will ensure a conducive environment in which we can all fight poverty, improve our welfare and the quality of life. We need an environment of peace so that we can do the right thing. The situation as we see it in our country today is that there is poor co-ordination between the various security organs. If you look at what happened recently during the attack at Westgate Mall here in Nairobi, you can see a demonstration of that; that there was no co-ordination between our various security apparatus. There is an obvious disconnect between institutions which gather and disseminate security information with those that use that information. That is very clear because we know that we have institutions which are supposed to be professional in gathering useful information. This information should be distributed to other organs of security, but it is very clear from what we have observed recently that there is no link or connection between these institutions. I think that is something that must be addressed, and addressed very urgently. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the other issue is political interference. It apparent and clear to me that there is obvious interference in the work of the police; there is obvious interference in the reforms that we had agreed should be carried out within the police service. It is clear to me that there is even interference in the management of the interior portfolio to the extent that all this is detrimental to the smooth functioning of our security institutions. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we have also observed a deterioration of discipline among security personnel to the extent that, recently, we have seen pictures or images of police or security personnel getting involved in criminal activities and getting associated with criminal elements and even perpetrating acts of crime. Security officers are sliding into open criminal activities and this is a matter of great concern. It should never be allowed to happen among the disciplined forces. We are aware of the prevailing poor welfare conditions of the security officers. These include challenges to their housing, recreation facilities and so on. These are matters which should be attended to very fast so that we can motivate our security personnel to a level where they can perform efficiently. Poor equipment and mobility has been a major problem. I am aware that these problems have been addressed recently. In some instances, you have police stations out there in the village, for example, in Kisii County, there is Nyamaiya Police Station or Nyangusu Police Station and other police stations where wananchi can run for help. These police stations do not have a single vehicle operating. So, the police officers are immobilized. They cannot attend to emergency cases because they are not mobile. We are aware of this and we hope the recent measures taken by Government to equip the police force will bear fruit and that some of these areas that have been disadvantaged before will be supplied with motor vehicles to enable them to perform their core functions. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am extremely concerned about the performance of the Criminal Investigation Department because it has been way below par. It has been sliding over the years. They do not seem to have capacity to investigate cases. In Kisii County, there are rising cases of insecurity. Even last night in the constituency I represented before I became a Senator, there were four attacks where two people were killed and two others were severely The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}