Deal firmly with insecurity, MPs urge President Kenyatta

MPs have urged President Kenyatta to firmly deal with the run away insecurity in most parts of the country.

The legislators singled out inefficiency, corruption and laxity within the police force as the major causes of insecurity, which has reached worrying levels.

They spoke in the presence of Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government Joseph ole Lenku and National Intelligence Service Director General Michael Gichangi and asked that urgent action be taken.

President Kenyatta accepted a proposal by Kajiado Central MP Joseph ole Nkaissery for him to have a sitting with a smaller group of MPs to discuss the state of security in Kenya.

The President said he would work with the MPs to deal with insecurity.

Responding to presentations by Mr Lenku and Mr Gichangi, Mr Nkaissery expressed disappointment that they did not explain to the MPs the steps they had taken to deal with insecurity.

The President, while responding to concerns by North Horr MP Chanyu Ganya, asked leaders from areas hit by ethnic conflicts such as Marsabit County to ensure they work towards unity and include all communities in such efforts.

MAJOR CHALLENGE

He spoke during the closing of a three day induction workshop of MPs at the Leisure Lodge Resort, in Kwale County.

The insecurity debate was sparked off by chairman of the House committee on Security Asmam Kamama who described insecurity as a major challenge to the country.

He called for the radical transformation of the police.

"Something must be done about the police force. It must not be business as usual. There are systematic and structural failures that call for radical change,'' said the Tiaty MP.

He singled out the traffic police department as having failed in its role.

"If it cannot be reformed, disband it. We will support your minister to reform or disband the traffic police department,'' said Mr Kamama. 

Mr Lenku announced that that County Police Commanders, whose appointments sparked controversy, would be vetted soon.

Mr Gichangi urged political leaders to be part of the solution in ensuring security saying MPs in particular needed to take the lead in this.

"What is the cause of cattle rustling for instance? What brand of politics do you practice? Are actions you take individually as and collectively enhance national security? he posed.

FULLY SUPPORT

MPs applauded President Kenyatta's pledge to assent to the Constituency Development Fund (amendment bill) which seeks to delink CDF from devolved funds and give Members of the National Assembly more say in its management.

"As a two term MP, I know CDF is one thing that has had an impact in Kenya and has helped transform lives. If something is good is good. I fully support it and will sign the Bill,'' the President told the cheering MPs.

However, he asked the legislators not to interfere with the running of the Uwezo Fund, which he launched on Sunday and instead leave it to County Women Representatives and youth.

"Let each person hold on to what belongs to them,'' the President said in Kiswahili.

President Kenyatta asked both Houses of Parliament to work in unity.

"Whether in the Senate or National Assembly, MPs legislate for Kenyans,'' he said.