We will not negotiate with terrorists, declares Ruto

By BONIFACE GIKANDI and CYRUS OMBATI

MURANGA COUNTY: The ongoing crackdown against terrorists will continue unabated despite mixed reactions that have greeted the exercise.

Deputy President William Ruto warned that no negotiations whatsoever will be entertained on the matter.

Ruto spoke as human rights activists in Nairobi and Mombasa called for an end to the screening of foreigners at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani.

Hundreds of suspects found living in the country illegally have so far been deported while others are still being held at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport awaiting repatriation.

“Let it be clear that there will be no debate or discussions because we must win the war against terror,” said Ruto. The Deputy President made the remarks during a thanksgiving service for Muranga Women MP Sabina Chege as well as a harambee for United Women Sacco in Muranga attended by 19 MPs.

Human rights activists have demanded that the screening of Somali refugees in Nairobi stops because police are allegedly violating their rights.

Saturday, Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo emphasised that the ongoing police swoops will be sustained.

He also told journalists that the country’s security agencies are investigating individuals suspected of financing and sympathising with acts of terrorism in the country.

The IG, at the same time, said the exercise dubbed ‘Usalama Watch’ does not discriminate or target a particular community.

“People who have proper documentation should not be worried because we are only interested in individuals who have entered the country illegally,” he said after taking envoys from various countries around to see the screening process at Kasarani.

The visit by the diplomats comes when Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) officials have put the Government on the spot over the ongoing crackdown.

Rights abuses

KNCHR said the operations constitute serious violation of the Constitution and international human rights. However, Kimaiyo said their target was to eliminate criminals who could have been involved in acts of terrorism, youth radicalisation and robbery with violence.

A spot check by The Standard on Sunday revealed heavy police presence along Nairobi’s Juja Road that leads to Eastleigh Estate, which is believed to be the hot bed of the terrorist militia.

Kimaiyo pointed out that the exercise will be carried out across the country and reported the arrest of 62 people in Nakuru on Friday. Saturday, those arrested called on the Government to speed up the process of verification of their documents. Twenty-eight year old Said Ali who has been held from Sunday last week accused investigating agencies of dragging their feet in taking their fingerprints and pictures.

“It is unfortunate that the police have continued to detain me for seven days for a process that could have taken only hours,” he complained

But Kimaiyo attributed the delay to the large number of people who were rounded up on a swoop at the beginning of the exercise.

In Murang’a, the Deputy President assured that the Government will do everything possible to ensure law and order is maintained across the country to enable residents engage in development without any fear of being attacked. Ruto said the Jubilee administration was ready and willing to work with all elected leaders in the country irrespective of their political affiliation in order to realise development.

 “We are ready to work with all Kenyans and their leaders in pursuit of development agenda for the country and grow our economy,” he said. He told leaders to focus their attention on service delivery adding that time for politicking was over.

“Leaders should put aside their political differences and work for the common good of the people who elected us. We have no room for conflicts on religion or tribal issues,” said Ruto.