Peter Kenneth calls for shake-up to end attacks

Kenya: Kenya National Congress party leader Peter Kenneth has welcomed President Uhuru Kenyatta's changes in the security sector but stressed on the need for a shake-up of the entire homeland security system.

Kenneth said the country needs a system that provides joint and rapid action in order to pre-empt attacks, from intelligence gatherers to those required to deal with identified threats.

The former presidential candidate also suggested closure of the porous borders, aerial surveillance by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and creation of a buffer zone in areas exposed to terrorists.

Speaking after the exit of police Chief David Kimaiyo and Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku following the Mandera massacre, he said a country can have a very competent head of an institution but the performance of that individual will remain questionable if the system is broken.

"We must be careful as a nation not to just change individuals and forget the bigger problem, which is the system under which such office bearers operate in.

IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

"When a system has failed, the results can only be dangerous and catastrophic. A re-look at the entire homeland security system remains an urgent matter and must be addressed with immediate attention," he said in a statement yesterday.

Elimination of any form of corruption in the entire system must remain the priority of the Government if it is going to win the war on terrorism and related insecurities, Kenneth added.

"Securing our borders must be a top agenda. With Kenya Defence Forces in Somalia, it is obvious Al-Shabaab will always try to revenge on the soft targets," he cautioned.

He said KDF should introduce day and night patrols and create a buffer zone in areas considered more prone to attacks.

"The Government must stamp its authority," he said.