NEP leaders to mobilize residents to improve on security

Interior Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i with Mandera Governor Ali Roba and Mandera North MP Bashir Abdullah at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi.  (Courtesy)

NAIROBI—Following the recent attacks attributed to Al Shabaab militants in Mandera County, leaders from North Eastern region said they will mobilize residents to complement government to curb insecurity in the region.

Speaking on Monday after a closed-door meeting with Interior Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi, the leaders led by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden
Duale affirmed their commitment to work closely with security agencies and rally communities to tame the threat of insecurity.

“We have affirmed our commitment to work closely with security agents and rally communities to build trust. We vowed to support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s commitment to the existence of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) under AMISOM in Somalia until their objective is achieved and thus make our neighboring state stable and secure,” he said.

On his part, Mandera Governor Ali Roba said he regretted that the region has suffered economically and socially due to insecurity, but reiterated that residents must be part of the solution to ensure lasting
peace.

In his remarks, Matiang’i assured public servants in the region of their security. “I want to assure all public servants who work in northern Kenya that they are safe. We are saddened by what happened in Arabia last week but we remain resolute,” said the CS in reference to an incident in which two teachers were killed in a raid by Al Shabaab insurgents at Arabia Boys Secondary School in Mandera.

Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Muhammad assured the leaders that the upcoming
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) would go on smoothly as all systems are in place for the national examinations that are set to
commence next week.

“I want to assure teachers, public servants and students in North Eastern and other parts of the country
of their safety ahead of national examination next month,” she said.