Leaders turn heat on State over rising terror attacks

Furious leaders from Northern Kenya yesterday took on the Jubilee Government over runaway insecurity in Wajir, Mandera and Garissa counties.

Addressing a news conference at Serena Hotel in Nairobi following yesterday’s attack in Mandera on a Nairobi-bound bus that left 28 dead, the leaders faulted the security agencies over increased terror activities in the region.

The leaders, who included National Assembly Majority Leader Adan Duale, Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s advisor Abdukadir Mohammed, three senators and three governors, warned that the attack was geared towards causing tension, religious conflict and disunity among Kenyans.

The leaders urged President Kenyatta to raise the fight against the group within the country by intensifying patrols and pledged to fully back the stringent measures put in place to curb insecurity.

“The President has the power and with our support, he is able to avenge the deaths of our people. The Ethiopian government usually fights back, it is not a matter of our troops being in Somalia, a lot needs to be done,” Duale said. “Religious leaders, politicians across the political divide and leaders should stand together to defend this country from threats posed by Al Shabaab”.

Though the leaders declined to weigh in on failures by the security apparatus to act of intelligence report, they agreed that more needs to be done to address the concerns.

“Over the last two months, I have raised grave concerns over increased terror threats in Mandera County, the security agencies downplayed the information I shared with them, saying I was politicking,” Mandera Governor Ali Roba said.

Roba and his counterparts Ahmed Abdullahi Mohammed (Wajir) and Nathif Jamah (Garissa) also pledged to support the families of the deceased with the funeral expenses.

“It is unfortunate and cowardly to loose lives in such a brutal manner. It is extremely sad that the attackers targeted non-muslims. This is creating religious tension as the style of attack is same as what happened in Mpeketoni, Lamu County and Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi,” Roba said.

“The porous borders of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties have become the entry points of Al Shabaab insurgents, resulting in increased terror activities in the country. The Government must be alert by putting in place its best brains and equipment to flash out the militants and avert attacks,” he said.

Governor Mohammed said the Mandera bus massacre was aimed at causing religious conflict between muslims and christians and sabotage the economy of the region.

“This group wants to cause chaos and cut off the northern part of Kenya from the rest of the country. It will be extremely difficult for other communities to work in the region over fears of attack,” he said. “The Al Shabaab menace should be contained.”

Governor Jamah lamented that numerous attacks will scare away investors and skilled personnel, at a time the region was bonding more with the rest of the country. “Attacks of this nature does not make Al Shabaab any better. The group will not succeed. Its agenda has failed and as Kenyans, we will continue to stay together,” he said.

Duale condemned the the selective removal of non-muslims from the rest of the passengers and there after shooting them at close range.  “The script of Al Shabaab is to cause a religious war among Kenyans. We appeal to the public to remain united and not to fall prey to the group’s scheme,” the national Assembly Majority Leader said.

 “I appeal to people from North Eastern region and the rest of the country to come together to protect and defend the country. As leaders, we affirm our commitment to supporting the Government’s strategy to dismantle Al Shabaab within and outside the country.”

Cabinet Secretary Mohammed said the terror group’s agenda is to divide Kenyans. “Despite many attempts and efforts, we should not fall victims to their evil plans. We must strongly condemn the acts by supporting Government interventions,” he said.