By Boniface Ongeri
Authorities in Garissa have approved a resolution to criminalise failure to take preventive measures against Al Shabaab attacks.
Garissa County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed said the decision is among 21 resolutions reached during a leaders’ security meeting at the Garissa Government Guest House.
“We have had incidents where people are coming out after a terrorist attack to claim they saw suspicious moments and even days before the actual attack, but it will be categorised as aiding and abetting crime,” he said.
He said the communities have a crucial role to play in the fight against the Al Qaeda allied Al-shabaab.
According to the commissioner, chiefs have been directed to have registers of residents and visitors in their jurisdiction before October 15 in addition to holding regular public barazas to sensitise the public on security.
During the meeting, leaders asked the Government to work on genuine initiatives to engage youths in income generating activities to curb crime.
North Eastern PC Ernest Munyi said all lodges are required to register customers by taking their personal details, purpose of visits and duration of stay before admitting them.
