Metito links insecurity to political interests

By Peter Opiyo

Internal Security Minister Katoo ole Metito said there may be a political hand in the current incidents of insecurity in parts of the country.

He said politicians may be inciting violence for political gain by causing displacement, instilling fear to have control on the newly created electoral units in the counties.

“We haven’t ruled out political incitement to these incidents of insecurity. Some of these animosities can’t be delinked from political incitements,” said the minister.

“They (politicians) take advantage of animosities to gain political mileage,” he added.

Two politicians were released on Sh50,000 cash bail and Sh100,000 bond each by the court, over allegations of making inciting remarks following the killing of over 40 police officers in Suguta valley.

They are Wildlife Assistant Minister Josphat Nanok (Turkana South) and Turkana Central MP, Ekwee Ethuro.  Labour Minister John Munyes (Turkana North) is also being sought by the police to record statement over the remarks they jointly made within Parliament following the killings.

Katoo also said Internal Security Assistant Minister Simeon Lesrima (Samburu West) and nominated MP, Maison Leshomo have also recorded statement with the police regarding the killings.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Administration and National Security the minister also asked voters in hot spot areas to take advantage of the heavy security presence in those areas to register as voters.

Committee members Danson Mungatana (Garsen)  and Raphael Letimalo (Samburu East) had raised fears about  possible disruption of the ongoing voter registration owing to insecurity in various parts of the country.

“These areas have been identified as hotspots and people should take advantage of the heavy security presence in these areas to register as voters,” the minister told the Committee.

These areas include the coast region owing to the presence of the secessionist Mombasa Republican Council, Baragoi in Samburu where 42 police officers were killed by bandits and the parts of Samburu and Turkana Counties and Northern parts of the country.

Incidents of insecurity have escalated in the parts of the country with a recent explosion in Eastleigh on Sunday that killed eight people sparking riots between people of ethnic Somali and non-Somalis.

Katoo who appeared before the committee was giving a rundown of the security situation in the country, including measures taken to contain the situation.

He said calm has already returned in Tana River that saw the killing of 121 civilians and nine police officers after clashes erupted between ethnic Ormas and Pokomos.

He was accompanied by Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere, Director of CID Ndegwa Muhoro, Assistant Ministers, Alfred Khangati and Lesrima and PS Mutea Iringo.