Police target MRC in crackdown

Three suspected members of the Mombasa Republican Council MrJabir Ali Dzuya (left), Bwanamkuu Alwan and Antony Mwatela appearing in Mombasa high court for the hearing of the murder of four police officers on March 3rd 2013 in Jomvu area in this picture taken on 10 March 2013. PS says secessionist group and Al-Shabaab are a threat to national security. Photo/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Security team says it’s working with residents to wipe out killer gangs
  • PS says secessionist group and Al-Shabaab are a threat to national security

The government has launched a crackdown on Coast secessionist groups and Al-Shabaab following a wave of attacks and killings in parts of the country in the past month.

Internal Security Permanent Secretary Mutea Iringo said the clampdown was to ensure Kenyans were safe.

“Our main focus is on Mombasa Republican Council at the Coast and Al-Shabaab, the special area of interest being Garissa. We want to wipe out this menace and restore the country’s security,” Mr Iringo said on Wednesday.

He said they were working with residents in the affected areas to curb attacks.

Mr Iringo, who was speaking at a media breakfast meeting with religious leaders at Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi, said the government would not tolerate such groups.

Last month, four policemen were killed in an attack by more than 100 raiders at a polling station in Miritini, Mombasa.

In another attack early this month, a group of youths killed five policemen on patrol in Kisauni, Kilifi County, by a group of youths attacked policemen who were on night patrol.

Two of the youths and a resident were killed in the clashes.

In Tiribe, Kwale County, two villagers were found dead near Bahakanda Primary School with deep cuts on their bodies. Two others were admitted to hospital with serious injuries.

Coast provincial police boss Aggrey Adoli said the four officers killed in Miritini were part of a security team guarding ballot materials that were to be distributed to other polling centres.

“A group of more than 400 raiders stormed the school compound and attacked the officers who were guarding the election materials. Because of their huge number, the raiders outnumbered our officers,” Mr Adoli told journalists in Mombasa after the attack.

The attacks on the morning of the General Election caused delayed voting in the region as police moved to bolster security of voters and IEBC officials.

At the same time, Mr Iringo said the National Police Service was seeking about Sh150 billion from the Treasury to enable it to operate effectively.

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo had earlier said the money would be spent to buy vehicles and pay salaries for the next two years.

“We are asking for adequate provisions and we may need more than Sh150 billion just for the beginning and then the process will be able to take its natural course,” said Mr Kimaiyo.