Raychelle Omamo, Gethinji Ndung’u welcome 'Al Shaabab deterrent wall'

The Government’s proposal to erect a protection wall on sections of Kenya-Somalia border to keep off the Al Shabaab has received support.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo and National Assembly’s Defence and Foreign Relations Committee chairman Gethinji Ndung’u welcomed the move saying it was a step in the right direction.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery this week said Kenya will start constructing a wall along the border with Somalia as part of efforts to contain terror attacks.

Speaking Friday on the sidelines of a National Security Sector Consultative forum in Mombasa, Mr Ndung’u said: "Any steps taken to curb Al Shabaab combatants from accessing our country through the porous border is highly welcome.’’  He added that it has become impossible to enforce any border closures with Somalia in the absence of physical marks to enforce it.

"This is so because there are no demarcations to show the actual border which could help contain traffic of people and even weapons,’’ added Gethinji.

Omamo said Kenya has to do everything within its powers to protects its borders.

"We are aiming at putting the best package together to ensure our external borders are safe. Building a wall around sections of the porous border with Somalia is one of the initiatives,” she said.

The proposed construction of the barrier between the two nations was first made by Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy early this year.

Amb Omamo told delegates that security remains the cornerstone of sustained growth and development.

The CS said her Ministry will require Sh103.96 billion against a ceiling of Sh71.83 billion to roll out peace support operations, payment of taxes, military modernisation programme among other projects to beef up security.

Saku MP and a member of the committee on Defence and Foreign Relations Dido Raso said defence budget should be boosted in the wake of emerging new threats to security.

The high level meeting was attended by military top brass led by vice chief of Defence Force Lt Gen Samson Mwathethe, among other top security stakeholders.