The Kenya Red Alliance (KRA) sends deep condolences to the families of the late honourable Professor George Saitoti, his Assistant, Hon Orwa Ojode and all those who perished following the untimely demise of the two top Security Officers in a helicopter crash in the Republic of Kenya.
KRA is very concerned that more than 12 hours after their deaths, the Security Docket of the Republic of Kenya is still unmanned. The situation is very serious because Kenya is currently at war with Somalia while the internal security situation in the country is very unstable. Crime in the country is on the increase while political instability in the face of impending trials of the four ICC suspects is a constant threat which persistently continues to hover over the Republic. Elections are around the corner with unforeseen security implications. It is therefore unacceptable that the country’s Security docket can remain unmanned for a prolonged period of time.
Under the circumstances, the Kenya Red Alliance (KRA) demands that both Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki collaborate in the appointment of an interim Internal Security Officer to man this important docket as investigations into the helicopter crash continues.
In as much as Kenya needs to mourn the fallen rulers, it is paramount that the Republic’s internal security is not compromised following the twin deaths of the top Security officers in the country.
The view of KRA is that the appointment of a new Minister to head the Internal Security docket should be done as soon as possible, given the current security threats facing the country. A few weeks ago, a bomb exploded in Nairobi’s Central Business District while in the Coast province, the secessionist Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) remains a constant threat to the government.
The view of KRA is that the fragile Coalition government should not sit idly and remain vulnerable to enemies of the State who may be plotting sabotage by exploiting the vacuum which has been created by the tragic deaths of Officers manning the Internal Security docket in the country.
In the interest of the country’s National Security, the Kenya Red Alliance (KRA) calls upon both PM Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki to call a crisis meeting to discuss the issue of Kenya’s internal security with a view to filling the vacuum which has been created by the sudden deaths of the country’s top-most Security Officers.
It would be a big mistake if Kenya’s Internal Security operations remain uncoordinated due to the deaths of both Saitoti and Ojode. The view of KRA is that as the country continues to mourn, it is of paramount importance that the country’s security is not left vulnarable. It is for this reason that the KRA calls upon the two principles to act immediately to address this very urgent issue. Needless to say, the country’s security must not be compromised due to the mourning mood that Kenya has suddenly been plunged in.
KRA hopes that both PM Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki will understand the urgent necessity of this demand and act accordingly before it is too late. Our country’s security should be number one on the national agenda regardless of the current situation.
Martin Ngatia
Chairperson
Kenya Red Alliance (KRA)
About the Author
Yusuf haji appointed acting Internal Security Minister
Updated 10 hrs 32 mins ago
By Martin Mutua
President Kibaki has appointed Defence Minister Mohammed Yusuf Haji acting Internal Security Minister.
Haji who is also the Ijara MP steps into the sensitive ministry for the next one week while the Head of state will be out of the country attending a United Nations environmental conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The seat fell vacant following the death of his predecessor Prof George Saitoti who died in a helicopter crash together with his assistant Orwa Ojode last week. The two were buried over the weekend.
Also, a team that will oversee the transition of the current government to a devolved system has now been assembled.
President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga appointed Mr Kinuthia Mwangi Wamwangi to chair the Transition Authority team that comprises eight other members.
The include Angeline Awino Hongo, Safia Abdi, Mary Mwongeli Ndeto, Jacqueline Akhalemesi Mogeni, Erastus B.i. Nyaga Rweria, Simeon Pkatey Pkiyach, Bakari Garise Omar, Dabar Abdi Maalim
In a statement issued Monday night by the Presidential Press Service, the head of state announced that the appointments were in exercise conferred to him by section 5(1)(a) and first schedule to the transition to devolved government act 2012.
The team is the first of its kind since Kenya attained independence in 1963, as it will be responsible to ensure that the current head of state hands over power smoothly to the next.
In the past top government officials and power brokers in government have been responsible for dealing with such matters and as result the process was open to political shenanigans.
The nominees who were also endorsed by parliament last week will facilitate and coordinate the transition to the devolved government.
Their names were tabled before the house by the departmental committee on Local authorities.
The Authority is charged with preparing and validating an inventory of all the existing assets and liabilities of government, other public entities and local authorities.
It will provide mechanisms of the transfer of assets which may include vetting the transfer assets during the transitional period.