The government plans to improve intelligence-gathering capacity to facilitate early detection of crime to avert fatalities and other related losses.
The move comes in the wake of terror attacks by Al shaabab militant group.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i said the government was working on modalities empowering the security agencies through a modernization program for effective service delivery.
Speaking Saturday at Kimala village in Taveta sub-county during the burial of the late Japheth Ndunguja, Dr. Matiang’i said such interventions would work in making the country more secure.
Ndunguja was a GSU constable who was killed in action during the 14 Riverside Dusit 2 Complex terror attack on 15th January. He was aged 27.
The CS revealed that 10 suspects had been arrested in relation to the terror attack and reiterated government’s commitment to pursue all those involved in the heinous act.
“We will pursue everyone who was involved in the attack and deal with them ruthlessly,” he said.
Dr. Matiang’i was accompanied by his ICT counterpart Joe Mucheru, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett, GSU Commandant Douglas Kanja and government spokesperson Erick Kiraithe.
Other leaders present included ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi, Governor Granton Samboja, MPs, Naomi Shaaban (Taveta), Andrew Mwadime (Mwatate), Jones Mlolwa (Voi) Alfred Agoi (Sabatia) and senator Jones Mwaluma.
Dr. Matiang’i read President Uhuru Kenyatta’s condolence speech to the family of the deceased and assured them of government support.
He asked Kenyans to be proactive in their own security by taking the initiative of knowing their neighbors and reporting suspicious characters. He also urged parents and religious leaders to offer counsel to young people as a way of countering radicalization.
He commended the GSU Commandant Douglas Kanja for leading an efficient rescue operation which saw hundreds of people rescued.
“The coordination of the operation was well done. Because of that, we were able to save very many lives,” said the CS.
He further asked Kenyans to respect police officers and appreciate the work they did to keep all citizens safe.
Mucheru said he had come to offer his condolences to family of the slain officer. He encouraged relatives and family members to be strong in times of grief noting that everything happens according to God’s plans.
“God has plans and roles for each of us. We should strive to define our roles and do the best we can,” said the CS. He added that his ministry was working to enhance ICT services and said plans to construct Constituency Innovations Hubs were in the process.
While hailing his officers for their work, Inspector general of police Joseph Boinett said the National Police Service was encouraged by the flow of support and messages of goodwill from Kenyans. He vowed that his officers would execute their work with firmness and professionalism to root out all forms of crimes.
He stated that terrorism will never cow or intimidate Kenyans into submission. “They failed and they must fail. Cowardly acts of attack on innocent people will never intimidate us into submission,” Boinett said.
In his speech, Mudavadi said he had come to pay homage to the slain officer whom he hailed as a hero. The ANC leader disclosed how his son was trapped in a room at Dusit 2 hotel during the attack. The son would later find his way and into the fire exit where he hid for three hours before he was rescued by police officers.
Mudavadi, who was accompanied by his wife Tessy Mudavadi, said they had to postpone their activities to pay their last respect to a police officer who had given his life for his son and others.
“My son Michael was amongst those people in that hotel. Due to selfless acts of this gallant officer lying here, he and others are alive today,” said an emotional Mudavadi.
He further asked Kenyans to support police officers who put their lives on the line to keep the country safe. He added that ANC supported President Uhuru Kenyatta’s move to give Dr. Matiang’i additional roles saying it was a mark of confidence the head of state had in his abilities.
Agoi noted that the terrorist attack could have resulted from endemic corruption that allows criminal elements to thrive without detection. He asked the government to deal ruthlessly with corrupt elements that were endangering the lives of innocent Kenyans.
Others local leaders hailed the late Ndunguja as a hero and pleaded with the government to make sure his family was well-taken care off.
By Wagema Mwangi
