Lamu link in ouster of Gichangi

The terrorist attacks in Mpeketoni, Lamu County, may have been a major reason for the resignation of National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director-General, Major-General Michael Gichangi on Thursday, Sunday Nation has learnt.
Maj-Gen Gichangi is said to have fallen on his sword after it turned out that the intelligence supposed to prevent the attacks and save lives was not “actionable and reliable”.
More than 60 people were killed in a series of attacks that started in mid-June in Mpeketoni and surrounding areas. Al-Shabaab terrorists claimed responsibility, but President Uhuru Kenyatta blamed local political networks.

According to top sources in the Office of the President, on June 16, the morning of the Mpeketoni attack, President Kenyatta met all top security chiefs who engaged in a blame game at the stormy State House meeting.

“The President, who was very furious, asked them how this could happen on their watch. He also told them that if it turns out that any of them was negligent they must resign. They all agreed to resign if found to be negligent,” the source said.

Mr Gichangi, Interior Minister Joseph ole Lenku, then Interior Permanent Secretary Mutea Iringo, Inspector-General David Kimaiyo, and CID Director Ndegwa Muhoro, attended the meeting. The President read the riot act to the security chiefs before narrowing down on Mr Lenku, Mr Kimaiyo and Mr Ndegwa whom he called to account.

Subsequently, he held a press conference where he accused politicians of being responsible for the attacks despite Al-Shabaab claiming responsibility.
The President also said they received intelligence early enough,but police failed to act on the same.

The Sunday Nation on Saturday established that when the Executive learnt that the intelligence could not be acted on or could not sustain any case in a court of law, Mr Gichangi had no choice but to resign.

“In that meeting, the President sought to know what the security chiefs knew about the attacks. And he asked each one of them whether they were willing to take personal responsibility if it turned out to the contrary. Each one of them said they will if it is deemed that they fell short of their expectations,” the source said.

MPEKETONI INTELLIGENCE

Mr Gichangi had to leave on Thursday when it was established that “the Mpeketoni intelligence could not be relied on and the quality of the intelligence had not been analysed”.

“It is not the work of the police to analyse intelligence but the work of NIS. The police act on analysed intelligence. What are you acting on if there is no analysis? The OCPD can only deal with a real threat and can’t wait for a month. There’s need for specifics,” said the source.

The quality of the intelligence was said to be so poor that it could not lead to arrests or sustain cases in courts.

Mr Gichangi’s problems were compounded by his poor relations with Kenya Defence Forces Chief Julius Karangi and Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo.

According to sources, after the Westgate attack, the President was not going to believe everything the security chiefs said.

“This time round (after Mpeketoni) the Executive did not entirely believe what they were saying to prove their lack of action,” said our source.
The Sunday Nation also learnt that Mr Iringo was moved to the Defence ministry for the same reason.

“He was in charge of co-ordination and informing government agencies. Did he do his work? I do not need to answer that for you,” the source said.
 Ms Monica Juma, who insiders believe is more of a strategist, replaced Mr Iringo.

“This signifies a mind change at the ministry. She is a good strategist and known for re-engineering things. She is also trusted,” says the source.