Kindiki To Expose Masterminds Of Lamu Attacks, Issues Ultimatum

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki on Sunday, October 8 revealed that the government has identified the ringleaders and those who planned attacks in Lamu County.

Speaking during a church service at St. Andrews ACK Ndenderu, Kiambaa Constituency, Kiambu County, Kindiki accused the masterminds of using religion and historical grievances as an excuse to kill and maim innocent citizens.

The CS further noted that the government will release their names to the public, giving them an ultimatum to surrender to authorities lest they face consequences.

Kenya Defence Forces soldiers disembark from a truck during a past operation. /NAIROBI NEWS

"This week, we will publish a list of suspects, and they must surrender at the nearest police station. We will pursue and neutralize all these criminals.

"There is a direct connection between economic revival and security. We will make our country a safe and secure place for local and international investors," he stated.

He further expressed that the government will not allow criminals to use culture to brutalise people and mislead them through retrogressive activities, as the Constitution of Kenya recognises and respects the collective culture of the country.

"Our security officers in Kiambu and Murang'a Counties are directed to immediately close down all premises used by these criminals hiding behind culture, and once investigations are completed, the culprits will be prosecuted in accordance with the law," he added.

On matters regarding the deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti, Kindiki clarified that the request by the United Nations Security Council for the deployment of Police officers to Haiti will be subject to Parliamentary approval.

Article 240 of the Constitution requires Parliament to approve the deployment of security forces to any peacekeeping mission in foreign nations. 

"There will be no shortcuts or violation of the Constitution in the deployment of our police officers to Haiti. Kenya has previously contributed troops to peacekeeping missions in Namibia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Somalia and Congo. 

"Deployment of our security officers to Haiti will not in any compromise or undermine our commitment and responsibility to the safety and security of our citizens," he went on.

The CS further noted that elite police officers will not be deployed to Haiti as such a move would likely undermine national security.

CS Kindiki revealed that Kenya has enough security officers and assured Kenyans that the country has the capacity to allocate police officers for the mission, further noting that the country would deploy general police to the Caribbean nation which he said, would enable them to get international exposure.

He further revealed that Kenya is yet to deploy the 1,000 police officers to Haiti, a position which contradicts former Foreign Affairs CS Alfred Mutua's sentiments that select police officers were already being taught French in preparation for deployment. 

Instructively, this came after Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga asserted that the intended deployment of Kenyan security forces to Haiti should be subjected to approval by Parliament.