Surrender or else. . . Uhuru warns gangs

President Uhuru Kenyatta Friday gave those with illegal arms two weeks to surrender them or be punished.

Those who comply with the order will be spared but those who defy will face unspecified consequences, warned the President.

Speaking in Kiswahili after delivering his official speech during the pass-out parade for police recruits in Kiganjo, President Kenyatta said:

“To those with illegal weapons, today we give them two weeks to surrender and we will pardon them. After two weeks, anyone who will not have surrendered unlicensed weapons would have invited whatever will happen to them.”

Earlier, the President had hinted that security forces would soon carry out a major operation. “What is coming soon.... We will ask Kenyans to support us by giving us information on those you think do not mean well for the security of this country. We will also ask you to support us in dealing with terrorists and gangsters who do not wish us well,” he said without elaborating.

His statement appeared to suggest that the government has finally decided to deal with terrorism and cases of armed robberies that have hit parts of the country.

Two weeks ago, two unidentified gunmen stormed a church in Mombasa, killed six people and injured several others. A week later, three explosions in Nairobi’s Eastleigh suburb killed six people and wounded dozens.

The two events were followed by a police crackdown in Eastleigh in which more than 1,000 suspects were arrested.

And on Tuesday, fiery Muslim cleric Sheikh Abubakar Shariff alias Makaburi was shot dead outside Shimo la Tewa Prison in Mombasa.

He had in the past made statements appearing to justify the September 21 Westgate terror attack in Nairobi where 67 people died.

In the last two weeks alone, four MPs have been attacked either in their homes or outside their gates.

Criminal gangs have terrorised city residents by waylaying them outside their gates and robbing them of valuables.

This prompted a police swoop on some Nairobi and Mombasa estates for wanted criminals.

Extra police are to be posted to Nairobi and Mombasa, the country’s two major cities battling a wave of insecurity.

The government has also allocated vehicles to police and announced plans to set up a forensic laboratory to ensure criminals do not escape the law due to lack of evidence.

The President did not specify which method will be used this time round but a police strategy paper has suggested round the clock patrols, profiling crime hotspots and more robust checks in the streets.

President Kenyatta told security agencies to “act ruthlessly and within the law” in dealing with terrorists and other organised criminals.

“A lot has been said and we will not talk any more. All we are requesting is for Kenyans to back us in whatever were are going to do.”

MY FULL SUPPORT

He stated: “Extremists prefer death and destruction than discussion and compromise. They will be dealt with ruthlessly and within the law and you will have my full support”.

He said those hiding behind religion and culture to spread terror would be smoked out.

“This is the time to reclaim our value of humanity. This is the time to oppose radicalisation. It is a war against terror, nothing more and nothing less.”

The President said that crime wave had affected development and job creation in the country.

“We want to create jobs so that all Kenyan are self-reliant but this is impossible with insecurity.”

During the ceremony 2,209 recruits joined the Kenya Police Service, 1,145 (51 per cent) were male, while 1,064 (48.2 per cent) were female.

Deputy President William Ruto said police reforms would enhance efficiency.

“Terrorists, cattle rustlers, poachers and all manners of criminals will not take over our country,” said Mr Ruto.

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo said police training would be reviewed to keep abreast of the changing trends.

Mr Kenyatta said some refugees had abused the country’s hospitality by working with terrorists.

“For more than 20 years now, our country has been generous to our neighbours who have had problems in their respective countries. But we cannot put up with people who continue to abuse our kindness.”

Kenya has two refugee camps at Kakuma in Turkana and Dadaab in Garissa housing around 600,000 people. But it is the Dadaab camp, mainly inhabited by refugees from Somalia that has been the most unsafe.

Reported by DAN OTIENO, AGGREY MUTAMBO AND JAMES NGUNJIRI