The leaders backed handshake between President Uhuru and Raila

A section of leaders from Mandera County have urged the government to beef up security in in the North Eastern region.

The leaders, drawn from the Economic Freedom Party said there are increased criminal activities and terror cells in the county, which if not immediately addressed, could spill over as a national security threat.

Led by MPs Kullow Hassan (Barisa), Aden Haji (Mandera West), Omar Hassan (Mandera East), and some 27 MCAs, the leaders called on the Government to immediately turn its focus on addressing the runaway insecurity.

“There had been actionable intelligence about criminal and terror related activities which the government must immediately address in order to restore normalcy in the region,” Mandera East legislator Omar Hassan told journalists at a press conference held at Maanzoni lodge in Machakos, yesterday.

The MP said military and intelligence agencies should move with speed and deplete terror cells and other criminal elements budding in the region. “It is sad to report that terror cells have infiltrated the region and many youths are being targeted for recruitment and training,” he said.

In matters politics, the leaders said they backed the famous handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader, Raila Odinga. “The Economic Freedom Party supports the handshake between Uhuru and Raila because the party has been on the forefront of advocating for negotiated democracy,” said Yusuf, the Mandera West MP.

They said the proposal to amend the constitution to pave way for an expanded government was a noble idea which would guarantee inclusivity of all Kenyans in national politics and governance.

“This model of government will promote harmony and inclusivity and eliminate the cycle of ethnic strife witnessed after every general election,” he said.

The leaders also welcomed the appointment of Hassan Noor Hassan as the Chief Administrative Secretary in the ministry of Sports.