Kibaki orders inquiry into police killings

By Cyrus Ombati

President Kibaki has approved the establishment of an inquiry into the killings of security officials and the subsequent destruction of property in Garissa and Baragoi.

The President also approved the reconstruction of the destroyed Garissa market and said the government will help facilitate the traders to resume operations as soon as possible.

Three soldiers were killed in Garissa while more than 40 police officers were killed in Baragoi in an ambush by bandits.

Security has been heightened in Garissa ahead of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s visit there Friday.

The PM is expected in the town, which experienced violence and destruction after three soldiers were shot dead on Monday by unknown assailants. The PM is expected to meet local business and political leaders and later condemn terror attacks on security agencies.

The Parliamentary Committee on Administration and National Security is also expected to arrive there Thursday to investigate the incidents of insecurity that have been on the rise.

At the same time, three Cabinet on Thursday appealed to all the branches of government to work together in the fight against forces out to create insecurity in the country.

Deal with terrorists

While discussing recent incidents of terrorism in Eastleigh, attacks on police in Baragoi and military personnel in Garissa, the Cabinet urged for the need for the Executive, Parliament and the Judiciary to work together and send a clear signal that terrorists and other criminal elements will be dealt with firmly and decisively, and that there was no room for impunity on the part of any leader or citizen.

The Cabinet said all necessary steps should be taken so that the country is free from the forces of terrorists and other criminal elements.

President Kibaki chaired the meeting at State House in which the Cabinet outlined and adapted various steps to be taken to ensure the security of Kenyans and their properties.

“The Cabinet condemned the killings of security officers and the death of civilians in Baragoi, Garissa and Eastleigh,” read part of a brief from PPS.