Nyumba Kumi initiative has reduced crime rates, says task force

The national task force on Friday made it public that crime level in areas where community policing has been implemented has reduced up to 40 percent of crime cases.
The task force said Kenyans were now feeling secure as they had embraced the Nyumba Kumi model in the country.
The chairman of the Task force Joseph Kaguthi said close to 240,000 clusters had been formed and was helping improve the security to great levels.
"The small clusters commonly referred to as Nyumba Kumi are really working well and it’s upon other Kenyans to follow the new model". Kaguthi said
He noted that time was ripe for Kenyans to take up security matters as their own and stop over reliance on police if they were to secure their neighborhoods.
"We recently called a security meeting from the 290 constituencies and in areas where the model is being implemented, crime levels have reduced to between 30-40 percent". He said
The chairman was speaking to the press after a meeting with members of the Task force at Kenya wildlife training institute in Naivasha.
He said Kenyans who are practicing the model will also be given security education while security officers will also be trained on how to deal with criminal elements in the society.
"We want Kenyans to be vigilant at all times and this will be through the motto of “See say, Hear say, and Suspect say”, so that we can know what is happening".
Kaguthi who is also the former Provincial Commissioner said the Task force was being faced with several challenges and called on Kenyans to be calm as they come up with a policy document that will help advice on security issues.
He added that although they had succeeded in forming the clusters, more time was needed especially in schools where children are being radicalized.
"We know violent extremism is real in our schools and our next step is to speak with children teachers and the general public and this will take some time". He said
Urie Abdillai who is one of the members of the task force said that Kenyans will understand the nyumba kumi model with time and the goal of a secure neighborhood will be realized.
"What we need to do now is to manage perceptions amongst Kenyans and start believing that it can be done". Urie said.
Francis Sang said the task force had come up with two police documents that will help solve the security issues in the country.
"We have formulated the National crime prevention strategy and the community policing document and what is remaining is speaking to MPs so that they too can also help us implement them". Sang said