North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood calls for overhaul of Meru’s security team

Meru, Kenya: North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood has called for the overhaul of security apparatus in Meru town due to rising insecurity.

Speaking during the burial of Dr Ashford Mbogo Munene at Kambakia Christin Centre Church, Dawood said he may call for demonstrations against security chiefs if nothing is done to stem criminal activity.

“The chain of killings that have taken place within Meru town show that we have a problem with the security apparatus. The national government should change the security officers who are on the ground. We need a change of guard to improve security,” Dawood said.

He said the death of Dr Mbogo and Dr Albert Obiri to armed gangs points to laxity on the part of security agencies and called for the transfer of officers who have been serving in the region for over three years.

Expressing similar sentiments, Bishop Edward Buria of the Kambakia Christian Centre, who led the funeral service, said he would support the demonstrations if security is not beefed up in the county.

“If we do not see a change in this county where security is given the importance it deserves, I will join the area MP in asking people to demonstrate,” Bishop Buria said.

Meanwhile, police in Meru town yesterday gunned down a suspect who they said is behind the killing of a surgeon in Meru and recovered a rifle. His two accomplices escaped.

The suspect was gunned down inside a restaurant in Makutano Shopping centre where he was said to have taken cover in an attempt to engage the police in a shoot out.

Hundreds of curious onlookers milled around the restaurant to get a glimpse of the shot suspect.

Imenti North OCPD Tom Mboya said the suspect known as Dennis Mwirigi alias JJ has been using the mobile phone belonging to the late Dr Albert Obiri.

“We have been tracking the suspect and had information that they intended to commit a crime in Meru town today. They were identified and the one who was shot attempted to shoot at our officers who instead eliminated him. A firearm has been recovered,” Mboya said.

The OCPD said police are still pursuing the other two suspects as well as looking Obiri’s phone.

“Until this morning, the suspect had been using the late doctor’s phone. He has had a murder case in court over the killing of nine people in Nkubu and was released in March this year,” he said.

The OCPD urged the public to work with the police by volunteering information on criminals to help fight insecurity.