William Ruto vows to stem rising wave of crime

The government has maintained that it is committed to ending a wave of crime that has rocked the country in the past month.

Deputy President William Ruto told a congregation in Nairobi on Sunday that the Jubilee government “will not compromise” on security issues and that appropriate machinery will been deployed to bring to book those financing or perpetrating crime in the country.

“We are committed to ensure that the life and property of every citizen is safe.”

“As a government, we are going to mop up every resource, human or material, to protect the lives of everyone, their property and children so we can grow our economy by double digits,” he said at the African Inland Church in Kasarani.

Mr Ruto spoke in response to a wave of violent robberies and carjacking in Nairobi and Eldoret as well as the killing of 10 people in a suspected terrorist attack in Garissa town.

In Eldoret, residents got fed up with incessant crime and lynched several suspects on Saturday. But Mr Ruto assured the government will take charge saying that security is key if the country is to woo investors.

“Even if it is politicians, businesspeople or refugees (perpetrating crime), we will not compromise on the security of Kenyans.”

Mr Ruto admitted that recent incidents of crime could dent the economy by instilling fear among Kenyans but asked for cooperation from religious leaders and other Kenyans to help end the menace.

On Saturday, Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo led a team of police chiefs to Garissa where he warned of an imminent crackdown against suspects thought to be linked to Somali insurgent group, Al-Shabaab.

Garissa town alongside Nairobi, Mombasa and Dadaab have been hit several times with explosions in what authorities suspect to be retaliation to the incursion to Somalia by the Kenya Defence Forces. The Kwa Chege restaurant attacked last Thursday in Garissa was on the receiving end for the second time now.

President Kenyatta ordered top security chiefs in Nairobi to visit Garissa in the aftermath of the attack last Thursday night in which 10 people were shot dead in cold blood.

Civil service chief Francis Kimemia said that the President had directed top security officers to take immediate action and give him a full report by Monday.

Mr Kimaiyo, together with his top lieutenants – Mr Samual Arachi who is in charge of the administration police and Ms Grace Kaindi heading the Kenya Police – flew to Garissa on Saturday morning and were holed up in a meeting the whole day.