Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kipchumba Murkomen Thursday cautioned LSK against defending suspects charged with acts of terrorism until they have been investigated to foster peace in the country.
Speaking in Laikipia County during his tour for the Jukwaa la Usalama initiative, the CS pointed out that the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) rush to defend individuals charged with acts of terrorism which would normalize terror in the country.
“I want to clearly say to LSK that they should not jump into conclusions on investigations of terrorism. Charges leveled against these individuals are acts of terrorism and it’s up to the court to find them guilty or not,’’ said the CS.
He at the same time called on for the Civil Society Organizations not to be biased when airing their voices particularly when properties are being destroyed. “We do not want the voices of the civil societies that are one sided without looking at what the citizens are going through,” noted Murkomen.
He highlighted that the government was firm in protecting the country from falling into a state of anarchy.
“Those who are opposed to what we do must be told that they cannot intimidate us, we know the law and what it takes to secure a country. We are not going to do politics with our country and we will deal with these criminals for who they are and what they have done,” warned the CS.
Furthermore, he warned ex-policementhat they will be under strict surveillance, revealing that some were threatening to destabilize the country through their alleged intent to fight police brutality.
The CS was reacting to former Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officer Patrick Osoi arrested on Tuesday and arraigned at Kahawa Law Court after forming an online group with two other police officers alleging to fight police brutality.
“There are some characters whom I saw online calling themselves forces fighting police brutality and yet they were carrying guns and dressed in jungle attires trying to intimidate Kenyans. All officers out of the Service have a greater responsibility than a civilian and we will put them under strict surveillance because they are highly trained with taxpayers’ money,” said the CS.
He noted that the government will not allow illegal activities and those found capable shall be dealt with firmly including their financiers.
On security the CS said banditry was a thorn in the fresh especially in Laikipia North and the government was committed to addressing the situation through establishment of accessible roads and Maliza Uhalifu command Centre in Kirimon which was near completion.
“The terrain of Samburu East is inaccessible and one of the solutions is to work on the infrastructures and the ministry of roads is trying to allocate resources,” said the CS.
Murkomen said that through improved infrastructure, the government will be able to upscale operations in volatile regions and weed out banditry menace.
The CS said that other areas security will be enhanced include Seki camp in Laikipia North where four National Police Reservists (NPR) were ambushed and attacked two days ago leaving one dead and others seriously injured. The three are recuperating at the Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Additionally, the CS said administrative units yet to be operationalized due to budgetary constraints would be opened soon after allocation of funds this Financial Year on priority basis.
He was accompanied by Deputy Inspector General of police Gilbert Masengeli, Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu, Laikipia East Member of Parliament Mwangi Kiunjuri and his Laikipia North counterpart Sarah Korere among other senior government officials.
By Muturi Mwangi
