NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s security landscape is undergoing a significant transformation with the introduction of Jukwaa la Usalama, a government initiative aimed at fostering dialogue between citizens and security officials.
April 8, 2025, in Mombasa County, the program provides a platform for community members to voice security concerns, propose solutions, and directly engage with policymakers and local authorities.
Jukwaa la Usalama marks a departure from traditional top-down security governance by emphasizing inclusivity and citizen participation.
It invites input from a diverse range of stakeholders, including chiefs, religious leaders, youth representatives, women’s organizations, and everyday citizens.
This initiative not only promotes mutual accountability but also aims to enhance trust in public institutions by involving communities in shaping security policies.
The initiative is designed as part of Kenya Kwanza’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which seeks to empower grassroots communities through economic and social development.
By addressing security as a fundamental enabler of national development, Jukwaa la Usalama integrates public safety into the broader goals of poverty reduction, infrastructure development, and social cohesion.
The first regional forum, held in the Coast Region, focused on key security challenges unique to the area, including violent extremism, drug trafficking, land disputes, and gender-based violence.
Community members raised these concerns, prompting tangible responses from government officials, who committed to strengthening local policing efforts, increasing rehabilitation services, and tackling radicalization with community-based strategies.
A standout feature of the initiative is its proactive nature, designed to anticipate security threats and prevent escalation.
Rather than waiting for issues to spiral out of control, Jukwaa la Usalama facilitates early collaboration between security forces and local communities, encouraging shared responsibility for safety.
This engagement allows for tailored solutions based on the specific needs of each region, making interventions more relevant and sustainable.
The initiative also reflects a shift in security governance, moving away from centralized enforcement toward a more decentralized and inclusive model.
By prioritizing the voices of local actors who have firsthand knowledge of their communities, Jukwaa la Usalama ensures that policies are more effective and reflective of real-world challenges.
In addition to fostering dialogue, the program supports the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by addressing security challenges that directly affect local economies.
Concerns such as market insecurity, youth unemployment, and livestock theft were raised during the Coast forum, underscoring the connection between safety and economic productivity.
It ensures that security policies also consider the economic realities of communities, paving the way for more resilient and stable local economies.
As the program continues its rollout across Kenya, each regional forum will generate a Regional Security Action Plan that documents community concerns and assigns responsibilities to relevant authorities.
These plans will be reviewed regularly to ensure accountability and track progress.
A national digital platform will also be developed to consolidate data from the forums, enabling the government to identify trends and adjust policies accordingly.
Through Jukwaa la Usalama, Kenya is establishing a new paradigm of security governance that values dialogue, transparency, and community involvement.
The initiative is not just a response to current security challenges but an investment in the future of the nation, ensuring that all Kenyans have a role in safeguarding their communities and contributing to the country’s development.
