Parliament concerned by security lapse in Kenya

By PETER OPIYO

The parliamentary Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations wants the government to explain what appears to be gradual loss of control over the country’s international borders leading to the invasions by neighbouring countries.

Led by Wajir West MP, Adan Keynan, the committee would also question why the military failed to put in place safety measures, at its training ground in Ngong.

Five children lost their lives when they handled live bombs in the area.

The porous borders led to last week’s attack by Ethiopian bandits leading to the death of about 42 Kenyans.

The committee is also concerned with reports that the Ugandan government is laying claim on Ugingo Island on Lake Victoria. Another island, Migingo, has been a source of dispute between the two countries.

Consequently, the committee has dispatched letters inviting the minister for Defence Yusuf Hajji, his Internal Security Minister, George Saitoti, East Africa Community Minister Hellen Sambili and director of National Security Intelligence Service, Michael Gichagi to appear before it and explain the lapse in border surveillance.

Dismay and shock

"We register our dismay and shock at the massacre of Kenyans in Turkana. We are greatly disturbed that the government hasn’t put in place enough security agents along her borders, yet it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that its citizens are safe," said Keynan.

The MPs bashed the government for abdicating its responsibility when it fails to secure the country’s borders.

"We want to see that our borders are safe so that our people go about their business without fear," said Bahari MP, Benedict Gunda.

At least 42 people were feared dead, last week, in heavy fighting between members of Kenya’s Turkana community and an Ethiopian tribal militia along Kenya-Ethiopia border. The government however, put the figure at 37.