War against terrorism and extremism must be won Kindiki
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed that the government will win the war against terrorism and violent extremism.
The CS lauded the security officers who are on the front line fighting terrorists, bandits and other armed criminals.
“The government will triumph in the war against terrorism and violent extremism. Special commendation and appreciation to all the security officers who are on the frontline tackling terrorists, bandits, and other armed criminals,” Kindiki said.
He spoke on Monday during the operationalisation of Igoji subcounty in Meru and installing its first Deputy commissioner, Zuhura Righa.
His remarks come just a day after at least 40 al Shabaab terrorists were killed in an offensive on their camp in Welmaro, a town 40 kilometres from Afmadow in the Lower Jubba region of Somalia.
The area borders the Kenya-Somalia border which is usually breached by terrorists.
Kenya Defence Forces were involved in the operation together with Somalia National Army.
Kindiki added that the government is committed to cracking down on rogue preachers as he revealed that the security team in Shakahola found 40 new mass graves on Monday.
They were discovered earlier in the day at the start of phase four of the exhumation exercise.
The CS said the 40 graves are yet to be exhumed but they are suspected to be containing multiple bodies.
The number of deaths from the tragedy has hit 339 to date.
“We will do everything positive to make sure another Shakahola tragedy does not occur in our country. To the religious leaders opposing government’s effort to crack down on rogue preachers, we will not relent,” he said.
This comes after the CS said the government will spend at least Sh20 billion for the modernisation of the equipment used by security officers in the Northeastern Region.
This is aimed at enhancing the capacity of the officers tasked with handling terrorism and banditry in the region.
“We have already set aside Sh20 billion to purchase advanced security equipment, including armoured personnel carrier vehicles, drones and other gadgets so that our security agencies get proper safety as they effectively fight the terrorists,” Kindiki said on Tuesday.
Wile announcing the suspension of the re-opening of Kenya-Somalia border at Garissa, Kindiki said the government was going to prioritse national security adding it was necessary to arrest rising cross-border crimes.
“The government will delay the planned reopening of Kenya-Somalia border points until we conclusively deal with the recent spate of terror attacks and cross-border crime,” he said on Wednesday.
