Kimaiyo and Lenku hit after second massacre in Mandera

Peris Wairimu is overcome by grief upon learning of her brother Ndirangu who, among 36 people killed in Mandera on Tuesday night. (PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD)

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku and Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo became casualties of spiraling insecurity after gunmen again killed 36 people in Mandera.

The slaughter of the quarry workers at 2am at a mine in Koromey, some 10 kilometres from Mandera town at dawn on Tuesday, coming 10 days after Al-Shabaab militia killed 28 people in the same region bordering Somalia, forced the security shake-up.

Yesterday, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared ‘Kenya is at war’ and rallied Kenyans to unite in the face of terrorist attacks that “follow a pattern identical to the attacks on Christians in Lamu, the sporadic attacks in Mombasa, Kwale, Garissa and Tana River.” 

After unrelenting public pressure following the bloodbath and spectacular security failures, the President nominated Major General (Rtd) Joseph Nkaissery as cabinet secretary for the Interior and Co-ordination of National Government.

That meant Mr Lenku had been axed, although Uhuru did not mention his name in his televised address at State House, Nairobi. 

Earlier, Kimaiyo had announced his resignation after a meeting with the President at State House.

Addressing a press conference at Vigilance House, 54-year-old Kimaiyo who was due to retire in December 2016, denied that he had been forced out.

EXISTENTIAL THREAT

The urgency of the changes was underscored by the fact that the President has requested Parliament to extend its sittings to have the new Interior boss approved quickly and begin working to tackle the Al-Shabaab threat, which he termed as an ‘existential threat’ to the country.

Parliament is also expected to address the Head of State’s urgent request to make immediate changes to what he sees as legal and institutional barriers that make it difficult for the security machinery to act in the face of terrorism.

Uhuru also announced he had accepted the retirement of Kimaiyo who has been pilloried by Kenyans for allegedly sleeping on the job and leaving Al-Shabaab to attack with impunity. “Mr David Kimaiyo offered to retire and I have accepted the retirement request. I therefore take this opportunity to thank him for his many years of service to our nation,” he said.

President Kenyatta is understood to have met security chiefs and held a special Cabinet meeting at State House.

Yesterday, Uhuru admitted weaknesses in the security systems, making the country vulnerable to incessant attacks by Al-Shabaab.

He vowed that in spite of the many attacks by the terror cell, the Government and Kenyans would not be cowed in fighting and subduing them.

“We will not flinch or relent in the war against terrorism in our country and our region. We shall continue to inflict painful casualties on these terrorists until we secure our country and region. Our stability and prosperity depends on a secure neighbourhood. This is our commitment.

“I know we are all under a lot of pressure, but I appeal to each one of us: This is not a time to be cowed by the enemy. I also call on all leaders to stand together and confront this enemy. This is a war we must win,” he said.

The President told Al-Shabaab to ‘forget’ about Kenya pulling its soldiers from southern Somalia despite the many devastating attacks mounted by the insurgents.

“The decision to pursue Al-Shabaab inside Somalia was right then, and remains so today.

“The incursion in Somalia has been largely successful. Al-Shabaab is depleted and on the retreat. However, even in its diminished state, it remains a threat to our nation,” he noted.

Uhuru said the attack by Al-Shabaab aims to divide Kenyans along ethnic and religious lines and spark conflict within the county.

He appealed to Kenyans, especially politicians in Opposition parties, to avoid playing into the hands of the terrorist group by continuous finger-pointing and blame games.

He called on them to appreciate the scale and nature of the terrorist threat.

unwitting accomplices

“This is a war against Kenya and Kenyans, and not a war against the Jubilee Government or its leaders. The bickering emboldens the enemy,” he said.

“Terrorists’ efforts bear fruit a hundred fold when we see things their way: With countenances of fear, anger and despair. We become their unwitting accomplices when we doubt, and we come to their aid when we shout at each other,” he added.

He called on the Muslim community to enhance their support of the Government in the war against terrorists who are hiding behind their religion to propagate acts of terror.

“Don’t give in to the desires of terrorists who may use your religion to manipulate or coerce you. All Kenyans understand Islam to be a religion of peace, because God is all-gracious and merciful.

“Without a doubt, terrorists who claim to kill in the name of God are neither Muslims nor godly people, but deranged animals who have lost their souls and minds. Stay true to your religious tradition of tolerance and respect for all people. We depend on your support in our war against violent extremism and terror,” he said.