Institutions of higher learning in Kisumu County can help tame increased cases of insecurity in the region through training of police officers and other agencies concerned with maintenance of law and order.
That is achievable through development of short courses (diploma and certificate) on issues of strategy and national security.
Institutions such as Maseno University, University of Nairobi’s Kisumu Campus, Mount Kenya University Kisumu Campus, Kenyatta and other renowned colleges and polytechnics in the region have professors and doctors who have studied issues to do with strategy and national security, yet their knowledge is not useful outside the classroom.
I fully understand there are students in the said institutions who study courses related to political science, diplomacy and international relations and criminology which have units on issues related to strategy and national security. But I believe the police are better positioned to have such knowledge bearing in mind that they handle issues related to security on a daily basis.
Last year, Maseno University in collaboration with the Royal Danish Defence College, organised a three-month certificate training among the police force on strategy and national security of which 13 students (Kenya police, Administration police and civilians) from Kisumu and its environs completed the course.
I believe the number is small and if we have to make an impact and tame rising cases of insecurity in Kisumu and its neighbourhood then more police officers have to come on board for training and that requires support from the academicians and learning institutions.
The police force, if trained properly, will have good knowledge and understanding of issues to do with national security, Justice, Law, Human Rights, National Security and Governance among others.
Such knowledge will help them not only when dealing with insecurity cases but also when handling civilians especially peaceful demonstrators or when dispersing crowds to avoid unnecessary injuries to people.
Security is a major concern in the country, learning institutions are no exceptions. As scholars, professors and doctors should use their knowledge to help improve the security of this county.
If more officers are trained on intelligence and security, then it is possible to avoid sudden deaths, as has been the case in the country.
I strongly believe that the power of the pen can be stronger than the power of the sword hence security personnel can be trained on issues that directly bring forth security problem.
With good training, I also believe the relationship between the police and the citizens will develop positively and community policing will improve.