The abductions that have taken place in the country is the work of criminals whom the security agencies have managed to stop on their tracks and are now pursuing them for legal action.
The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen regretted that the president’s account that the government had managed to stop the menace had been misinterpreted to mean his administration was behind it.
Speaking at the Marsabit County DCI offices during a Jukwaa la Usalama tour of the county, Murkomen pointed out that many people had misunderstood President William Ruto and sought to put the record clear that the Kenya Kwanza Administration had succeeded in ending the abductions just as it has been able to stop crime in other fields.
“Just as we have told you that the government has been able to stop drug trafficking and illegal mining in Moyale does not mean that we are doing it,” said the CS as he called for a stop to the habit of taking issues out of context.
The Cabinet Secretary who was accompanied by Inspector General Douglas Kanja also observed that commitment to duty had enabled the multi-agency security team to recover illegal firearms which included 201 guns and 1,309 bullets in the ongoing Ondoa Jangili operation in Marsabit Central sub-county alone.
He said the operation that kicked off in February had also helped the security personnel to nab and prosecute over 300 suspects with successful convictions besides curtailing the proliferation of small firearms that was being fueled by porous borders of disturbed areas of neighbouring countries.
He said that the president was passionate about ending illegal cross-border trade which has been used by criminal organizations like Al-shabaab and OLF to raise funds to finance their criminal activities.
Murkomen commended the security agencies with the help of the local county leadership for managing to firm up the region which was previously rocked in inter-ethnic conflicts that revolved around cattle rustling and grazing resources.
The Cabinet Secretary cited illegal mining in Hillo-Dabel belt in Moyale sub-county which had been infiltrated by illegal migrants but which the government has managed to end adding that plans were underway to assist both local artisanal miners and commercial entities to engage in licensed mineral speculation operations in the area.
This, he pointed out, was not only going to create employment and boost security but also generate the much needed revenue for the government.
The CS who was in Marsabit to assess the progress of the Jukwaa la Usalama commended the local leadership led by Governor Mohamud Ali for unifying the county hence ending tribal conflicts and providing an enabling environment for development.
Murkomen who later participated in a security-bolstering engagement at the Jukwaa la Usalama meeting held at the Kenya Wildlife service (KWS) grounds pledged for additional police reservists to the 400 so far enlisted in the service.
This was after residents led by the governor, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) and MPs Wario Guyo and Joseph Lekuton of North Horr and Laisamis respectively requested for more reservists to help in complimenting the work of the National Police Service.
The CS however directed the local national administration to continue having meetings among communities who have come together on their own volition to emphasize the issue of peace while holding conversations with elected leaders and aspiring ones to ensure that there were no tensions as we approach the next general elections.
The Governor hailed the Jukwa La Usalama initiative which he said would strengthen governance, improve on the security mechanisms and above all enhance service delivery.
Governor Ali in particular noted the issuance of identity cards and birth certificates which he said were yet to gain momentum despite the presidential waiver on registration fees and disbandment of the vetting committee.
By Sebastian Miriti
