NEP leaders hold hands at Garissa primary grounds during a peaceful demonstration to denounce the activities of Al shabaab on April 5th
Sunday, April 12, 2015
We will keep our promise to name terrorists and their sympathisers in Northeastern, a group of political leaders has said.
The leaders held a crisis meeting in Garissa town yesterday to discuss the terror threat to the region.
"We will not go back to Nairobi without the names of all terror suspects and their supporters," said Fife MP Barre Shill.
"Chiefs, county commissioner, religious leaders and parents must know something. Give us the details now."
They were led by National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale and Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Aden Mohamed.
Those who attended the meeting included MPs and governors from the three Notheastern counties of Garissa, Wajir and Mandera.
Provincial administration officers, religious leaders, women's representatives and MCAs were also present.
The meeting came in the wake of the Garissa University College attack on April 2 in which 147 people were killed and 79 others injured.
"The enemy is within us. The Garissa (University College) attack is the stroke that broke the camel's back," Duale said.
He accused chiefs of of illegally issuing identification documents.
"In case you don't know, the recently passed Security Bill gives a 30 year prison [sentence to] whoever is found guilty of issuing the documents to aliens," Duale said.
The leaders said they play a central role in maintaining law and order.
"We are here to contextualise the problem. We cannot wait any longer for more lives to be lost," said Duale.
The meeting is biggest ever held in the region.
The leaders are expected in Wajir on Saturday and Mandera on Sunday.
Garissa Governor Nadhif claimed there is plan hatched to sabotage development in the regions.
The leaders later held a closed door meeting with chiefs and county commissioners.