Opposition demands sacking of Kimaiyo, Lenku by Uhuru

Despite spirited attempts by the Jubilee government to defend the record of its top two internal security chiefs, pressure is mounting for them to be sacked after a series of spectacular security lapses in the last three weeks led to the deaths of scores of civilians and police officers.

On Monday, the Opposition added its voice to the chorus of calls on social media and demanded that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto send home Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku and Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo after the horrific terrorist attack that left 28 people dead.

Over 100 policemen and civilians have been killed since June in Mpeketoni, Kapedo and latest Mandera attacks, with many more casualties in ethnic conflicts in Northern Kenya and crime in other parts of the country.

Calls for a security shake-up have intensified with the grim spectacle of civilians and policemen airlifted in body bags from killing fields.

The bodies of the 28 victims of the Mandera attack by Al-Shabaab terrorists were flown into Wilson Airport at the weekend, three weeks after the bodies of 24 policemen and two civilians were collected from Kapedo in Turkana County after they were slaughtered by bandits.

And in June, at least 60 people were killed by gunmen in a night-long siege in Mpeketoni, Lamu County, highlighting the security crisis the nation is facing as it battles Al-Shabaab terrorists in Somalia.

It is on the back of these attacks that Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga led renewed calls for an overhaul of security agencies in the country on the day that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) released images of what they said was evidence of revenge air strikes on terrorist camps after the Mandera massacre.

 better future

Raila spoke at Chiromo Funeral Home yesterday when he consoled families of the those killed in the Nairobi-bound bus who were shot dead by gunmen in Mandera.

And Seven Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislators convened a press conference at Orange House to demand the sacking of Chief of Defence Forces Julius Karangi alongside Kimaiyo and Lenku.

Raila criticised Ruto over the latter's statement on Sunday that KDF had killed over 100 militants who participated in the killing.

"Time for theatrics has run out. You have been telling us the terrorists can't hide, but they have been hiding since last year while killing innocent Kenyans," Raila said. 

"Where is evidence of the killed people in the said camps? Those people who are in charge of security must be removed now for a better future," said Raila.

He said instead of providing a solution to security challenges, Jubilee had resorted to propaganda leading to a feeling that Kenyans are being misled.

The ODM MPs claimed that official deception, particularly on security, is eroding the confidence of Kenyans in their Government, leading to a deeper feeling of hopelessness and desperation.

"We want the President to fire the top commander of KDF, Inspector General of Police and Interior Cabinet Secretary," said ODM chairman-designate John Mbadi.

He was accompanied by nominated Senators Elizabeth Ongoro, Janet Ongera and MPs Joyce Lay (Taita Tavata), Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands) and Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja).

But National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale warned that personalising the war on terror and targeting individuals are not solutions to insecurity.

"In any case they can bring a petition using a constitutional provisions to Parliament to compel the President to fire the security chiefs if they feel frustrated. CORD should not individualise the security crisis in the country," Duale said.

Raila claimed that the Government has routinely misled the public to shield its incompetent officers and protect the delicate power balance in the Jubilee administration while Kenyans die.

He said this culture was being perpetrated from the highest levels of government.

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who has been proposed as ODM's second Deputy Party Leader, Senator Boni Khalwale and five MPs from Western region were also at the Chiromo Mortuary. Ten of those killed are from Kakamega.

They were accompanied by National Assembly Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali and MPs Wafula Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Injendi Malulu (Malava) and Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani).

Kakamega and Kisii counties were the most affected as they lost ten people each, and Bungoma County lost three. Kisii Governor James Ongwae has since announced that his government will cater for burial costs.

Oparanya accused the Jubilee administration of failure to act on the intelligence information provided by Mandera Governor Ali Roba on impending attacks in the county by Al-Shabaab.

 cede power

Khalwale said the Jubilee administration had failed to protect Kenyans and should cede power. Oparanya said his government would cater for funeral expenses.

Oparanya also announced that there would be an inter-denominational service for the 10 victims at the Bukhungu Stadium on Thursday.

Mbadi claimed that while Kenyans are crying for the President to take charge of security, "the President is taking it easy in Abu Dhabi watching his popular sport, Formula One".

Ms Ong'era, who is also the Minority Whip, regretted that the State appeared to be selective in its response to disasters citing the Mandera incident where no government officer has been assisting the victims' families.

ODM's Treasurer-designate Timothy Bosire said Kenyans were getting restless over the way the Government was fighting insecurity and may be tempted to take the laws into their own hands.

"Government should not allow this situation to get out of hand. This ineptness is sowing seeds of discord and soon the situation may worsen," Bosire said.

On Sunday, Ruto said over 100 terrorists were killed following the Mandera bus attack, but the MPs said there is no evidence to back his claim.

"We don't believe the DP, and we demand that top political and security leadership must take responsibility," Mbadi said.

"We were told that all the attackers in Westgate were killed. There was no shred of evidence. We were told that the attacks in Lamu early this year and later in Mombasa were the work of the Opposition. There was no shred of evidence. We were told that there would be a Commission of Inquiry into the Westgate attack, to date, nothing," he added.