[allAfrica.com]











Government On Top of Things, Says Minister

The Nation (Nairobi)
NEWS
April 2, 2004
Posted to the web April 2, 2004

By Muriithi Muriuki
Nairobi
The Government has denied that it has been overwhelmed by the current
countrywide state of insecurity.
To the contrary, National Security minister Chris Murungaru said "the
Government was on top of things and had not abdicated its responsibility of
providing security to all Kenyans".
While acknowledging that incidents of thuggery were on the increase in both
urban and rural areas, the minister said the situation was not out of control.
There has been an outcry from the public and leaders over the deteriorating
security situation in the country.
Yesterday, Dr Murungaru blamed remnants of the outlawed Mungiki sect, and
former touts who had been rendered jobless by reforms in the public transport
sector, for the spiralling crime.
Making a ministerial statement, Dr Murungaru said police had been instructed to
deal firmly and decisively with criminals terrorising Kenyans. In this respect,
Dr Murungaru said, the Government had set up a special police unit to combat
crime in urban areas.
Dr Murungaru also said the intelligence unit within the Criminal Investigation
Department had been strengthened to deal with criminals.
The minister said police had arrested suspects believed to have been involved
in robberies at former Cabinet minister Cyrus Jirongo's and Bondo MP Oburu
Oginga's houses.
He asked Kenyans to avoid speculating that all thuggery incidents involving
politicians were political.
Dr Bonny Khalwale (Ikolomani, Narc) said unless the Government acted fast,
thugs would take over the country.
The MP, who was recently attacked by thugs in his constituency, wondered why
police were unable to deal with criminals despite getting a salary increment.
Mr William Boit (Baringo North, Kanu) asked the Government to post police
officers to guard MPs' homes.
Mr Ekwe Ethuro (Turkana Central, Narc) accused the Government of looking aside
as cattle rustlers wreaked havoc in his constituency.
Mr Issak Shaaban (Mandera East, Kanu) said MPs were feeling intimidated by the
rise in crime, which seems to be targeting them.
The MP, whose police bodyguard was shot dead by gunmen last week, wondered how
ordinary Kenyans could feel safe when criminals were killing security
personnel.

   

  =============================================================================
  Copyright © 2004 The Nation. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica
                         Global Media (allAfrica.com).
  =============================================================================