Commissioner, leaders lock horns over insecurity

Kajiado, Kenya: Political leaders and the county commissioner in Kajiado County have openly differed over insecurity.

The national government’s administration officers have consistently ruled out the involvement of the outlawed Mungiki sect in the skirmishes that have engulfed Kitengela over the past few weeks.

During Madaraka Day celebrations at Kajiado KCB grounds on Sunday, Kajiado leaders accused national government administration officers of sleeping on the job while insecurity continued to soar.

County Commissioner Albert Kobia said it was clear that the Kitengela killings were not in any way committed by the Mungiki sect. But Governor David Nkedianye differed with him.

“We want the commissioner to stop telling us that Mungiki were not involved in the recent killings. Clearly, the county commissioner should be honest; let him see the reality and ensure that security issues are addressed,” said Dr Nkedianye.

The governor warned the commissioner against claiming there were no Mungiki members in Kitengela yet they are known to carry out criminal activities in the town.

Flanked by Kajiado Senator Peter Mositet and Members of the County Assembly, MPs Joseph Nkaissery (Kajiado Central) and Joseph Manje (Kajiado North), the county boss asked the commissioner to tell the public what he was doing to fight the outlawed gang.

Mr Mositet said national government administration officers had abandoned their security duties, leaving the public to suffer.

“We need an explanation from the provincial administrators (sic) and the police as the rate at which the insecurity is rising in the towns is disturbing,” said Mositet.

Mr Nkaissery said the county leaders had given the administrators two weeks to put their house in order or prepare to leave.

“We want to give the provincial administrators (sic) two weeks to ensure security improves in Kitengela; if not, we will call a meeting and ask them to go home,” said Nkaissery.

Daniel Kanchori, the Kitengela/Oloosirkon ward representative, asked the county government to consider handing back Kitengela to Nairobi since police had failed to effectively handle insecurity. Mr Kanchori said he had received death threats for attacking the sect and wondered how safe residents were if he was being threatened.

Land problem

But Mr Kobia said the governor was wrong, adding that whoever had information on the involvement of Mungiki in Kitengela should pass it on to the police. The commissioner admitted that he had information that several people had indeed left Kitengela.

“Those who have fled Kitengela were involved in the land problem in Athi River,” said Kobia.

Former Kajiado county commander Tito Kilonzi and the Athi River police had linked the killings to Mungiki.