People are becoming more worried about how much money the Ministry of Interior is said to be spending on the continuing “Jukwaa La Usalama” gatherings happening throughout the nation.
The sessions have been going on for the previous six months, led by Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. Reports say that each one costs roughly KES 15 million.
The Standard says that the money is mostly used to pay allowances to both senior and young security personnel who attend. Other costs include leasing tents and seats, filling up cars with petrol and giving officials who come from Nairobi a place to stay.
Catering is also a cost, since more than 200 people were fed rice and stew throughout the sessions. It is said that each gathering has around 30 citizens from various sub-counties who are paid KES 5,000 apiece for being there.
It is also stated that a lot of money goes into fuelling and maintaining the helicopter that the Cabinet Secretary uses to go to counties like Garissa, where he is with a group of Special Operations Group personnel.
Since the project started, roughly KES 705 million has been spent, which makes people wonder what the meetings are worth and why they are happening.
The money came from the ministry’s secret vote, which is usually used for special security operations and intelligence work. This has led to criticism from a number of groups.
Many people say that the conferences have not made any significant changes to national security, even though a lot of money was spent on them.
People are still worried that the resources may have been better spent on improving genuine safety operations instead of hosting forums whose effects are yet unknown.
