PM: State will pay victims of Garissa chaos

By Boniface Ongeri

NAIROBI; KENYA: Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said the Government will compensate residents whose property was destroyed during the recent security operation in Garissa.

The PM directed the Ministry of Special Programmes to start assessing the damage caused during the Monday fracas sparked by the killing of three Kenya Defense Forces soldiers.

Addressing residents along Kismayu Road in Garissa town yesterday the PM condemned the alleged shooting and burning of property by the soldiers terming it ‘unfortunate’.

“The soldiers were not acting on anyone’s orders. While the killing of three soldiers was an act of terrorism it was no excuse to cause much destruction of innocent people’s property,” he said.

He added, “There will be no fundraising by well-wishers to help victims, instead the Government will shoulder the responsibility.”

The PM also appealed to the residents to help the security officials to identify members of the terror group causing havoc in the area.