Lawmakers ask State to send more personnel to Somalia

Monday January 18, 2016

Former head of civil service Francis Kimemia (left) with Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and Kieni MP Kanini Kega (right) at Kamariki Catholic Church in Kieni on January 17, 2016. The central Kenya leaders have asked the State to send more troops to Somalia. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

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Central Kenya leaders want the government to send more troops to Somalia.

Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe on Sunday condemned the Friday attack on a Kenya Defence Forces camp by Al-Shabaab militants in El-Adde, Somalia.

The senator also condemned the circulation of photos of dead soldiers on social media.

“We have never seen photos of dead troops from developed countries being circulated,” he said.

Kieni MP Kanini Kega, his Gatundu South counterpart Moses Kuria and former head of civil service Francis Kimemia said withdrawal of troops from Somalia would be an act of cowardice.

“KDF will not leave until its mission of eliminating Al-Shabaab militants is accomplished,” Mr Kega said.

Mr Kimemia told Kenyans to be vigilant.

“We must support the fight against Al-Shabaab. We must also report suspicious cases to relevant authorities,” Mr Kimemia said.

They were speaking at Kamariki Catholic Church in Kieni Constituency on Sunday during a thanksgiving service held in honour of Fr John Mbai who has been at the parish for 16 years.

REVEAL NUMBER OF CASUALTIES

Meanwhile, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi asked the government to reveal the exact number of soldiers killed in the attack.

Mr Wandayi said it was important for the government to provide the information to reduce anxiety among family members.

The ODM political affairs director asked the government to pull the troops from Somalia.

“The government has a duty to disclose to Kenyans how many soldiers were killed and under what circumstances,” Mr Wandayi said.

The MP was speaking on Sunday during the burial of West Uyoma Ward Representative Mathews Odeny Onduru at Nyabera Village in Rarieda Sub-County.

He added that the silence by the government over the killings was making families of soldiers serving in Somalia panic.

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