CORD, Jubilee trade words over attack

Kenya: A war of words erupted between Jubilee alliance and CORD over who should take responsibility for the Mpeketoni attack in which 48 people were shot dead.

During separate Press briefings at Parliament Building, the two coalitions exchanged bitter words, with CORD demanding that Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku resigns following the attack.

Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula and National Assembly Minority Whip Chris Wamalwa led other CORD politicians including Mong’are Bwo’Okong’o (Nyamira) and Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) in condemning the Mpeketoni attack, pointing an accusing finger at the country’s ‘failed’ security system.

Mr Wetang’ula faulted Lenku for blaming the attack on politicians before collecting adequate facts to warrant such a conclusion.

“The rush to blame this incident on politicians is an avenue of failure when the State is unable to unravel the truth,” Wetang’ula said.

He observed that the Government should revisit the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) report to address the issues raised in the document if indeed after conclusive investigations it turns out that the attacks were fanned by historical injustices.

Busia Senator Amos Wako asked the Government to divorce the country’s justice system from politics while Khalwale said the security structure was both defective and ineffective and demanded that conclusive investigations be done.

Earlier, eight Jubilee leaders asked the police to follow political links which they said surround the attack.

Await investigations

MPs Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu), Cecily Mbarire (Runyejes), Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town), Rachel Shebesh (Nairobi), Benjamin Lang’at (Ainamoi), David Bowen (Marakwet East), Soipan Tuya ((Narok) and Julius Meli (Tinderet) urged Kenyans to exercise restraint and await investigations by security organs.

The MPs asked police to pursue and investigate the theory that the ongoing CORD rallies across the country and particularly in Mombasa last Sunday are allegedly a precursor to the attack.

They asked the Opposition to continue with their rallies without disturbing the peace knowing that there is no leadership vacuum in the country.