House team summons Matiang’i over killings

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and security chiefs have been summoned by a committee of the National Assembly over the recent killings in Kapedo and parts of the Northern Kenya.

Yesterday, the Committee on Administration and National Security said the CS, Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and Inspector General (IG) of police have been summoned to shed light on the killings in Northern Kenya and politically instigated chaos witnessed in Nairobi, Nyeri, Murang'a and Baringo.

Committee Chairman Paul Koinange said innocent lives have been lost in Baringo, West Pokot, Turkana, Marsabit and Mandera, with many others placed at risk.

“The committee is greatly concerned about the escalating insecurity and criminal activities in parts of the country as a result of hate speech, incitement and terrorism,” said Mr Koinange.

Yesterday, while in Mombasa, the assembly also proposed changes to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Act to include powers to prosecute politicians inciting the public along tribal lines.

For years, the NCIC has been lamenting that it lacks powers to decisively deal with politicians stoking tribal wars.

“Part of the changes we want in the NCIC Act is to include a clause that any politicians cited and charged with hate speech and incitement be barred from vying for any political seat,” said Koinange.

He said the committee wants to find out more from Dr Matiang’i, DCI and IG on the ongoing security operations and what should be done to end the killings.

Koinange said the committee hopes the security operations in Kapedo will bear fruit and go a long way in changing the fortunes of area residents.

He said the committee was concerned over the growing incitement and other acts of violence by politicians and political groups in parts of the country.

“The most recent political incitement and violence which occurred in parts of Nyeri, Nairobi, Kiambu and Murang'a counties raise a lot of concerns. Notably these political meetings are going on at a time such large gatherings have been stopped to limit the spread of Covid-19,” said Koinange.

He said that Kenyans should not forget that in 2007 the country almost burnt down due to incitement by a few politicians.

Teso North MP Oku Kaunya said apart from Ethics and Anti-Corruption Corruption and DCI, NCIC will also have the mandated to clear those running for political seats.

Kaunya urged the youth to desist from being used by politicians to cause chaos in the country.