Garissa chiefs sacked over attacks

By Boniface Ongeri

GARISSA, KENYA: North Eastern Provincial Commissioner Ernest Munyi has sacked all the chiefs and their assistants in Garissa Township for alleged laxity in the fight against Al Shabaab militants.

Munyi said the chiefs had taken for granted the attacks by the Al Qaeda allied group.

"The chiefs are not helping us with crucial information to help end the al-Shabaab menace. They have taken the killings of our security officers and civilians as normal that is why I have decided to sack all of them", Munyi told journalists in his office.

He said there are a lot of alien visitors in the town and it was the responsibility of the chiefs to monitor what they are up to.

He said the chiefs will also face disciplinary measures for sleeping on the job.

At the same time the PC stopped the issuance of identity cards saying aliens were getting the documents.

"Until we review the issuance of the id cards the exercise should stop. There are people getting the cards who are not genuine and use the documents to engage in illegal trade", he said.

The PC also said they will soon carry out a crackdown on vehicles flouting traffic rules in the country.

"There are taxi operating without yellow lines and vehicles with tinted windows and we will crack on them because we have established that some have been used by the terrorists to commit crimes in Garissa", he said.

He said all the actions is aimed at restoring peace in the town that has experienced a series of deadly attacks by the Islamists.

He said the security had been heightened in the county and residents should go about their business without fear.