Prof George Eshiwani send-off marked with calls for better security

Professors of various universities carry the casket bearing the remains of Prof George Eshiwani during burial service at Mulwanda Primary School Khwisero in Kakamega County on Saturday. [Photo: Benjamin Sakwa/Standard]
 

The Opposition has challenged the Jubilee government to change tack in the fight against insecurity.

Speaking yesterday during the burial of former Kenyatta University vice-chancellor Prof George Eshiwani in Khwisero, Kakamega County, CORD leaders Raila Odinga and Moses Wetang’ula said the government should invest heavily in intelligence gathering to stem terror attacks.

The leaders also said decisive steps must be taken to end corruption among security officers.

They said the security docket had the highest budget allocation each financial year, yet the government had failed to improve recovery and disaster response.

The CORD chiefs took issue with the Interior ministry over reports that most police choppers were in a sorry state and hence could not be used for emergency response.

Raila said: “The 148 lives lost during the Garissa University College attack would have been saved had the government been swift in its response to terror attacks. It occurred at the provincial headquarter and we expected a quick rescue team to be dispatched. At this rate, we cannot say we are secured as a nation.”

The former premier also faulted the government over graft in the system.

“How can the government fail to service and maintain police choppers with such a huge budget? Kenyans who are taxpayers should not suffer because of a few individuals who are corrupt in the security sector,” added Raila.

Poor methodology

Wetang’ula, the Bungoma Senator, said the government is employing poor methods of fighting terrorism.

“The government is using mediocre ideas in the 21st century to fight terrorism. They have now embarked on constructing a 1,200 kilometre wall along the border with Somalia which will not help. Security depends on proper investment in intelligence and ensuring a corrupt-free system,” he said.

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said most of those families whose children were killed came from poor backgrounds. He said the government should compensate them for the losses.
“I ask legislators in the National Assembly to enact a law that will compel the government to compensate victims of terrorism because it is not their wish to die that way,” Oparanya said.

Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, who read former President Daniel Moi’s condolence message, said Prof Eshiwani had left a great legacy in the education sector during his illustrious career.

“Prof Eshiwani was instrumental in developing Mt Kenya and Masinde Muliro Universities on policies. His legacy lies in the students he taught especially in performing arts, music and comedy at the university,” read the message.

Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli also expressed concerns over insecurity, saying Al Shabaab sympathisers should be brought to book.

“Legislators from Western, irrespective of their political affiliations, should show solidarity with MP Johnson Sakaja in his quest to demand that Majority Leader Aden Duale produces the list of terrorist financiers,” he said.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said the county has lost a great scholar who created opportunities for residents and other Kenyans who followed his foot steps. Khalwale supported Raila and Wetangula’s sentiments, saying security methods used by the Jubilee government to tackle terrorism would not work. “The government is not addressing security with intelligence; it is using tactics that have been overtaken by time. The country cannot continue losing lives in such a manner. The construction of the wall is too late,” said the senator. He also asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to take serious the war against graft in his government. “Uhuru should start fighting corruption within his officers. We often see officers who are not in government being fired, that should not be the case,” added Khalwale.

Frequent attacks

Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o said the closure of Daadab Refugee Camp would not solve the frequent attacks in the country, adding that any agreements signed with the UN should not be breached. “We must help refugees and Kenya is known to be home to refugees. The solution to the attacks is not to close the camps but to have proper intelligence. Why should officers in that department continue to earn salaries if they are incompetent?” asked Prof Nyong’o.

Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi and Busia Senator Amos Wako said Eshiwani was a visionary leader with a lasting legacy .

“Prof Eshiwani was a visionary leader that this country will cherish forever. We have lost an international academic who worked with Kenyans across their ethnic and political divides,” said Mudavadi. Kenyatta University VC Prof Olive Mugenda, Prof Fredrick Otieno (Masinde Muliro), UASU chair Sammy Kubasu, Kuppet’s Omboko Milemba and MPs Ababu Namwamba, John Bunyasi, Rachel Ameso, Benjamin Andola were present.