Saturday September 22, 2018
Leaders from Ijara have accused security apparatus stationed in the region for doing little to addresses cases of terrorism posed by the Al Shabaab militia.
Speaking in Masalani town, the leaders who included Garissa Senator Yussuf Haji, Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane and Ijara MP Sophia Abdinoor said police officers in the region are doing little to protect the residents who even provide them with information.
Their claims come just a week after two non locals were ejected from a bus by suspected Al-Shabaab militants and shot dead.
The leaders say that locals had reported to the nearby Sangailu military camp that they had cited the militants within but nothing was done.
The leaders say that locals had reported to the nearby Sangailu military camp that they had cited the militants within but nothing was done.
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“Going by the information I gather from the locals, the security agents had intelligence regarding the presence of Al Shabaab militias in the area a day before the attack and that is utterly disappointing that they did not act on that information,” said Dagane.
He added: “Surely who is to blame when such things happen. The residents find themselves between a rock and a hard place because when they report action is not taken and when they fail to do so they are themselves rounded up and beaten.”
Senator Haji said security officers deployed in the area must protect locals and non locals at all times saying neglecting their duties is wrong.
“Ijara constituency has hundreds of security officers who include the regular police, the military, GSU and the rural border patrol unit, but am sorry to say they are doing very little to enhance security,” Haji said.
Haji said that the local leadership will meet Internal Security CS Fred Matiangi and his defense counterpart Rachel Omamo with a view of addressing the matter.
Supreme Council of Kenya Muslim (SUPKEM) Chair Sheikh Abdullahi Salat said the militants were not Muslims saying religion should not be used to kill people.
Salat urged parents to account for their children to ensure they have not been radicalized.