Nairobi — The newly-appointed provincial commissioners have been directed to tackle crime and ensure devolved funds are well spent in their respective areas.

Internal Security minister George Saitoti, while addressing the new administrators, said each would be held accountable for rising insecurity in their areas. He met the new officials a day after President Kibaki replaced five PCs and appointed 22 deputy PCs in a move aimed at ensuring security and development in various regions.

The PCs who were dropped were Mr Paul Olando (Nyanza), Mr Abdul Mwasera (Western), Mr David Jakaiti (Eastern), Mr Josphat Maingi (North Eastern) and Mr Hassan Noor Hassan (Rift Valley). They have been redeployed to various ministries as senior directors of administration.

Long-serving woman district commissioner Claire Omollo was appointed Eastern PC. Other PCs appointed are Mr Fred Mutie (Nyanza), Mr James ole Serian (North Eastern), Mr Osman Warfa (Rift Valley), Mr Samuel Kilele (Western) and Mr Njoroge Ndirangu (Nairobi).

On Friday, Prof Saitoti said provincial administrators who fail to fight rising crime and ensure proper management of funds will have to answer individually.

"As part of the ongoing reforms in the Provincial Administration, it has become necessary to re-invent this structure with the objective of enhancing continuous improvement of service delivery to Kenyans," the minister said.

At the same time, three people have moved to court seeking to challenge the decision to create new districts.

In their suit, Mr Job Momanyi, Rev Titus Okoda and Mr Peter Nyamoti Nyamekendo say the act by the government to create districts and administrative boundaries through the Executive is inconsistent with the Constitution.

The creation of districts and boundaries is the mandate of the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission, which was set up under section 41 of the Constitution, they said.