National Assembly rejects Westgate terror report

By Wilfred Ayaga

Nairobi, Kenya: The National Assembly has rejected Westgate terror report and criticised the Joint Committees on Administration, National security, Defence and Foreign Relations for conducting shoddy investigations.

MPs who contributed to the report faulted the recommendations that had been made by the committee headed by Asman Kamama (Tiaty MP).

The MPs said the committee had failed to give concrete recommendations that would help the country deal with terrorism.

Majority leader Adan duale criticised a recommendation that had been made by the committee that the government should close refugee camps hosting refugees from Somalia.

“The Kenya government has an agreement with the United Nations on the treatment of refugees. We cannot just implement such a recommendation,” he said.

Presenting the report, Asman said the committee went around the country gathering evidence from various people, including those who had been affected by the attack.

He termed the Kakuma refugee camp ‘a kindergarten for terrorists.’

Samuel Gichigi (Kipipiri MP) said the country deserves an explanation on what happened during the attacks.

“We need an explanation on the atrocities that were committed on innocent Kenyans,” he told the House.

Otieno Wandayi (Ugunja MP) said that heads should have rolled in the aftermath of the attack.

“The fact that the terrorists could strike at the heart of Nairobi was evidence of a serious security lapse. It is important to know who slept on the job,” Wandayi said.

The report, which was tabled last year, makes various revelations, including evidence that security forces had been informed of an impending attack several weeks before the terrorists struck.