Haji calls on Muslims to back anti-terror Bill

BY CYRUS OMBATI

Acting Internal Security minister Yusuf Haji has embarked on a campaign to popularise the anti-terrorism Bill, calling on Muslims to support it.

Haji camped in Garissa at the weekend where he said the proposed law was good and would not target Muslims but criminals.

Addressing leaders in Garissa County, Haji said that some people were using the Muslim name to oppose the Bill and achieve their own selfish interests.

Opposing the law

“Groups which claim to represent the Muslim community in this country have come out saying that we (Muslims) are opposed to the proposed anti-terror Bill without proper consultations or gaining the consent of Muslims on the ground,” Haji said.

He added there was no need for Muslims to oppose the anti-terror Bill because by doing so they would be indirectly saying “they are the terrorists”.

Some Muslim leaders have been opposing the Bill saying it targets them.

Among other things, the law seeks to give the police immense powers when spying on suspects, including taping telephone conversations to collect evidence against them.

It states that any person or persons who commits an act of terrorism shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for a period of not less than seven years.Those who commit terrorist acts that cause death of a person shall on conviction be liable to life imprisonment.

The minister said more security agents had been deployed to Garissa to promote the region’s safety.

He decried recent killings in Malkamari area of Mandera County.