Kapenguria, France terror attacks a wake up call for Kenya – Mudavadi

The Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi has called on the security agents to be more alert in the wake of a deadly terror attack in Nice, France.

Mudavadi said that the terror attack is a wake up call to the government saying the recent incident at the Kapenguria Police Station where seven police officers were killed by an active shooter is a sign of wanting security situation in the country.

In a statement to the media, Mudavadi noted that the Al Shabaab terror group is an enemy and now living within Kenyans.

“The killing of seven police officers in Kapenguria by a fellow policeman and an attempt to take over a police station in Lamu by perpetrators who vanish within the community is increasingly the modus operandi of the terrorists’ aim to intimidate, cower and demoralise our security forces.  The fact that the executioners have a local origin should warn us that the Al Shabaab enemy is now within,” said Mudavadi.

The ANC party leader stated that there is a need for the government must move with speed to secure the country and properly equip security installations.

“Infiltration of our security forces by terrorists is as abhorrent as the killing aftermath that occurs. It is chilling and scary to Kenyans that their security forces can be infiltrated that easily. The confidence levels of the public in security forces will plummet in equal measure. It is the responsibility of the security establishment to root out terrorists moles in security forces and their sympathisers in the public.  The bad apples in security forces must be identified and expelled,” stated Mudavadi.

“The government should be vigilant that the planned repatriations of Somali refugees and closure of Dabaab Camp will not be a weapon for renewed Al Shabaab attacks in Kenya. If the exercise is mishandled, the exodus of over 250,000 people in single file could provide fodder for justifying attacks.”

Mudavadi noted that the government should reassure Kenyans of their safety against resurgent incursions by Al Shabaab in Kenyan territory.

“Government should be aware that closure of Dabaab offends vested business and political interests that may feel justified to aid Al Shabaab. The government should, therefore, not sit on its laurels thinking it has won against an extremely determined enemy. Already, Al Shabaab is testing the ground with freewheeling sporadic attacks.”

On Thursday, at least seven police officers were killed in a hostage situation that lasted for over nine hours at the Kapenguria Police Station in West Pokot County.

A police officer allegedly shot at his colleagues in a bid to flee a gunman, who opened fire from within the police station, was also killed.

Last week, more than 100 suspected Al Shabaab militants raided Diff Police station in Wajir early Saturday morning, stealing firearms and bullets.

It is reported that the suspected militants left one police officer injured.

In early July, six people were killed after gunmen attacked two commuter buses between El Wak and Wargadud towns in Mandera County.

The attack is suspected to have been carried out by the Al Shabaab fighters.