Samburu Governor Lelelit takes charge of security and foreign affairs at CoG

The appointment gives Lelelit a platform to champion county interests in matters of security, particularly in regions affected by banditry, cattle rustling, communal conflicts and cross-border insecurity.

The committee is among the Council of Governors' key technical organs, responsible for coordinating county governments' positions on security matters and facilitating engagement with national government agencies on policies affecting devolved units.

Its mandate also extends to foreign affairs, including coordination on international partnerships, diplomatic engagements and agreements involving county governments.

Although security and foreign policy remain largely functions of the national government, the committee provides an avenue for governors to raise concerns, propose interventions and advocate greater cooperation in addressing insecurity at the county level.

Lelelit's appointment comes against the backdrop of renewed concerns over security operations in Samburu County, where the killing of hundreds of livestock during an operation targeting suspected bandits has sparked protests and demands for compensation.

The governor recently called on the national government to compensate 43 families whose livestock were reportedly killed during a security operation in Losesia, putting the estimated losses at Ksh.70 million.

He also raised concerns over the displacement of residents, saying more than 15,000 people had fled their homes following insecurity and security operations in parts of the county.

Lelelit has maintained that while the government must confront banditry, security operations should protect innocent civilians and their livelihoods.

His new role could provide an additional platform for raising such concerns within the Council of Governors and strengthening dialogue between county leaders and national security agencies.

Beyond security, the committee plays a coordinating role in ensuring that counties' international engagements are aligned with Kenya's foreign policy framework.

The Council of Governors has previously used the committee to engage national institutions on county policing structures, security coordination and the involvement of devolved governments in international engagements.

Lelelit, who was elected Samburu's second governor in August 2022, previously served as Samburu West Member of Parliament between 2013 and 2017.

He also chaired the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) between 2018 and 2021.

His appointment places him in a position to contribute to discussions on the relationship between national security priorities and the challenges facing county governments, particularly in Kenya's arid and semi-arid regions.