When choosing where to live, especially in urban areas, security is usually a major consideration. Traditionally, we have entrusted this critical facet of our lives to security agencies. But with security challenges getting more complex and increasing in our cities and towns, a collaborative approach that includes communities and other security stakeholders can lead to more practical and sustainable solutions.
As invaluable as our law enforcement agencies are, it is increasingly apparent that they cannot single-handedly shoulder the burden of securing our neighbourhoods.
According to a recent survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the total number of police officers dropped from 108,013 in 2023 to 104,080 in 2024. This means that fewer officers are expected to cover more ground in our growing urban populations and vast rural regions. With the officers overstretched, security matters can no longer be left to only security agencies.
And government officials tend to agree. “Genuine security begins at home,” Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, said recently during the launch of the Usalama Mitaani Initiative, a national programme championing a community-driven approach to public safety in collaboration with key players in the security sector and government. The programme, initiated by The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations, is a recognition that real security begins where people live – in neighbourhoods, estates, and informal settlements – and must be shaped with, not just for, the communities affected.
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At the heart of this model is the mobilisation of resident associations and grassroots groups to take the lead in local safety. Through digital platforms, structured forums, and cross-sector training, residents will be empowered to report incidents, share intelligence, and co-create tailored solutions in partnership with law enforcers and private security firms.
And as Dr Omollo rightly noted, resident associations are the bedrock of our collective safety. That means communities should not be just mere recipients of security services but should view themselves as equal partners with the government in safeguarding their neighbourhoods.
We can draw some lessons from the sheriff’s system in the United States on community-driven security. Unlike traditional law enforcement, sheriffs are elected by the communities they serve and take on a role beyond policing to prevent crimes before they happen. A prime example is the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department which founded the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation. The initiative engages youth through mentorship to steer them away from gangs and crime. It works with local organisations and communities at large to address the root causes of crime such as drug abuse and domestic violence, consequently mitigating crime before it happens.
Back home we have similar grassroots associations taking the frontline on security. The Garden Ridgeways Residents Association (GARRA) is one such example. GARRA employs digital technologies like WhatsApp groups where suspicious activities are reported in real-time. Local police officers, who are group members, pick this and act swiftly.
They also have CCTV surveillance, monitored by officers in real-time, to further deter crime and aid in rapid response. Additionally, they facilitate the local police to have more patrols in the community
Mr Ochieng is the CEO of The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations
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By Henry Ochieng’