Security agencies mobilised to hunt down killers, says Ruto

Leaders have condemned the killings in Mandera County on Saturday.

Deputy President William Ruto said the government has mobilised security agencies to hunt down the killers. 

“Security personnel are now in hot pursuit of those criminals responsible for the killing of innocent people. They must bring all the culprits to book irrespective of where they are even if they have fled to the neighbouring Somalia,” Mr Ruto said during a funds drive in aid of Barwesa Secondary School in Baringo County.

The Deputy President called for cooperation between the public and security agencies and warned leaders against politicising security matters.

“As leaders, we must put aside our political differences and take a common stand on matters of security,” he said.

Mr Ruto, who also criticised those from pastoral communities involved in criminal activities, said the government was determined to restore security. 

“I have talked to the President this morning and, as a government, we have decided enough is enough. We must deal ruthlessly with these criminals,” he said.

RESHUFFLE SECURITY SECTOR

President Uhuru Kenyatta is in the United Arab Emirates on an official visit.

Cord leader Raila Odinga said the Mandera attack would have been prevented if the government employed proper security measures that involved local communities.

“It is unfortunate that Kenya has lost so many people to external strife — to the Al-Shabaab who are conducting a guerrilla-like warfare.

The government should deploy the Kenya Defence Forces to secure our porous borders instead of using them for homeland security.

Any life lost to insecurity anywhere in Kenya is one too many and we are urging the government to take security seriously,” he said.

Mr Odinga, who made the remarks during the ODM National Executive Council and party Transitional Independent Committee meeting at Elementaita, said the Opposition wanted to give advice to the government when it called for national dialogue earlier in the year but their efforts were turned down.

Calling for a reshuffle in the security sector, he added that “Kenyans no longer feel safe” and no proper action is taken after every attack with the government preferring to resort to warnings and deploying the military with little success.

RELIGIOUS WAR
The ODM leader also criticised the government for extending the curfew in Lamu to December 24.

Meanwhile, political leaders in North Eastern Kenya also condemned Saturday’s terror attack.

Led by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale and governors Ali Roba (Mandera), Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir) and Nathif Jama (Garissa), the leaders urged Kenyans not to fall into Al-Shabaab’s trap of religious divisions.

“It is a day of great grief. We mourn the killing of innocent Kenyans and call for calm. We must be united to help the government fight these criminal activities. It is a responsibility for all of us,” they said on Saturday.

In a joint statement at a city hotel, Mr Duale said: “The attempt to put a wedge between Muslims and non-Muslims must not be allowed to thrive. This trick must be rejected. As Kenyans, we must stand united like we have always done.”

He said the Mandera attack was similar to the Mpeketoni raid in Lamu County last June where targets were profiled along religious lines.

The leaders, who also  included Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed, now want President Kenyatta to take ruthless action against terrorists.