Raila Odinga calls for a complete change of security agencies

Kenya: CORD leader Raila Odinga on Monday called on a complete overhaul of the security agencies in the country following the spate of insecurity that has claimed hundreds of innocent lives.

Mr. Odinga said it was disheartening that many lives continue to be lost in the hands of terrorists and other criminals, when there is a government in place that has all the instruments of power to protect the lives of Kenyans and their properties as stated in the constitution.

Speaking on Monday morning when he visited Chiromo Funeral Home to condole with the families of the victims of the Mandera bus attack, Mr. Odinga said the government must take responsibility for the spiralling insecurity in the country.

“It is sad that Jubilee administration refused to dialogue with the opposition on security matters to find a lasting solution to the problem, Kenyans continue to die shamelessly in the hands of criminals,” he said.

Mr. Odinga lashed out at the Deputy President for releasing a propaganda statement on the Mandera massacre instead of a factual one, saying the families of the deceased persons are the most affected.

In the attack, Kakamega County was the most affected as it lost eleven people while Bungoma County lost three. The leaders from the two counties were present at the morgue to condole with the families and relatives of the victims of the cold blood murder in Mandera.

Governor of Kakamega County Mr. Wycliffe Oparanya condemned the Jubilee administration for failing to act on the intelligence information provided by the Mandera Governor Mr. Ali Roba on the impeding attacks in the county by militia. He said had the government acted on the said intelligence information, then the cowardice incident would have been avoided.

He condemned the cowardice act of terrorism by Al-Shabaab militia saying it was a big loss to the country. He said most of the victims were youthful people who were also bread winners for their families.

Kakamega Senator Dr. Boni Khalwale said the Jubilee administration had no business continuing to be in charge of the country’s affairs when it is evident that they have failed to protect the lives of the people of Kenya.

He called on the President and his team to resign and let Kenyans be governed by leaders who are concerned about the lives of their people and not just their own leisure.

Other leaders present were Jubilee Majority Whip in the National Assembly Mr. Benjamin Washiali and legislators Wycliffe Oparanya  (Kakamega governor), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Injendi Malulu (Malava) and  Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani).

Meanwhile, the Kakamega County Government has announced it will cater for all the funeral expenses for the eleven victims of the Mandera Bus Attack from Kakamega County. Governor Oparanya said that this includes mortuary expenses, coffins, transport from the morgue on Wednesday 3rd December via Kakamega town and respectful homes and any other expenses  that will be incurred during the funeral of the victims.

Mr. Oparanya also announced that there will be inter-denomination mass service for the eleven victims at the Bukhungu Stadium on Thursday 4th December where the viewing of the bodies will take place.