Cancel travel advisories, MPs say

By Maureen Obwao

Kenya; Members of the parliamentary caucus on human rights have asked foreign nations to rescind travel advisories against Kenya.

But the MPs also challenged the Government to roll out new measures to address spiraling insecurity.

The caucus led by nominated MP Isaac Mwaura asked the UK and US governments to reconsider the travel bans issued barring their citizens from coming to Kenya, noting that the ban would greatly affect the economy. “This ban can create an economic meltdown in our country as many people will be unemployed as the tourism sector offers job opportunities to many Kenyans,” said Mwaura.

The MPs criticised the Government’s way of handling of insecurity, saying the systems put in place had proved futile citing the ongoing Eastleigh swoop.

“The Jubilee government should take security measures seriously as these attacks affect us as a country and also our economy,” added Mwaura. Speaking yesterday during a press briefing in Nairobi, Mwaura further said insecurity was not only a Kenyan problem, but rather a global concern.

“For us to be able to win the war against terror Kenya needs support from both the UK and US governments as attacks of terror are now a global threat and the two governments should reconsider their stand on this matter,” he said.

Addressing the same press conference, Ndhiwa MP Agostino Neto said the fight against terror should be treated as a bi-partisan issue but should involve both government and Opposition.

Seek advise

“The fight against terror should involve concerted efforts from both the Jubilee government and the Opposition as when these terrorists attack, it is Kenyans who suffer and it is not a matter of Jubilee or CORD,” said Neto.

They also lashed out at the Mining Cabinet Secretary for bashing the foreign governments terming the move uncalled for.

“We need to have partnerships with the two governments in the fight against terror and seek for advise and expertise from them,” said Neto.

The group further called on the Government and the UK and US not to allow geopolitical issues take centre stage in the fight against terror, citing Kenya’s recent allegiance to China being seen as the reason for the issuance of travel bans.