Musyoka has urged the Muslim community to support community policing in the fight against terrorism within the region for economic growth.
”I want to assure you my brothers and sisters that the upcoming anti-terrorism Bill is not in any way intended to discriminate against the Muslims. This Bill should not scare you at all as it is for the good of this nation,” Musyoka told a leaders meeting in Lamu town.
The Vice President told the leaders among them; MPs Shakilla Abdalla (nominated), Johnston Muthama (Kangundo), Charles Nyamai (Kitui West) that terrorism was a real threat to economic and political growth of the country.
”This thing (terrorism) needs concerted efforts by all leaders and members of the public if we are to eradicate it once and for all,” said Musyoka.
He noted that terrorism does not recognize boundaries, does not know tribe or region and spares nobody.
”We therefore need to crackdown on these extremists who want to cause chaos thus hindering efforts to achieve political and economic growth of our nation,’ he said.
”If we work together as a team, I am optimistic that this region and the country at large will be terrorism free,” he added.
And while addressing a mammoth crowd in Lamu township after opening Wiper Democratic Party office, Musyoka put on notice those engaging in drug trafficking in the country.
He said it is discouraging that some individuals were selling drugs to young people thus ruining their lives at an early age.
”Those individuals selling drugs to children will face the full force of law,” said Musyoka amid applause from the crowd.
Urging the Muslim community to support his presidential bid come the next General Election, the Vice President stressed the need for Kenyans to vote in capable and trustworthy leaders to steer the nation to greater heights of development.
Musyoka said he was better placed among other presidential contenders to occupy the country’s leadership citing his wide experience over the last 27 years in the country’s leadership position.
The Vice President underlined that every Kenyan must always bear in mind their individual responsibility in promoting patriotism and peaceful co-existence among all citizens.
Among the areas the Vice President addressed rallies as he concluded his one week tour of the Coast region included Kizingitini, Faza highlands, Hindi and Mpeketoni.
Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has decried recent terrorist attacks in the country and urged security agencies to change tactics in dealing with terrorist attacks perpetrated by militants from neigbouring Somalia.
Mudavadi said Kenyans cannot continue to live in fear of terrorists and urged security agencies to seal all loopholes exploited by the terror groups.
The Deputy Prime Minister who was speaking in Lamu during a United Democratic Forum (UDF) leaders meeting said Lamu County deserved special consideration in special relief allocations for being at the frontline in the war against Al Shabaab militants.
“We should caution Lamu with special financial interventions because the spillover of war from Somalia has almost killed the tourism industry,” he said.
Musalia who was accompanied by former Kimilili MP Mukhisa Kituyi, Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale and Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni described the Lamu Port project as a monumental landmark which should be tailored to the benefits of Lamu county.
The DPM said the construction of the new port in Lamu and the investment in LAPSET must involve the residents of the county.“Development is about people. Times have come when we must live the true spirit of the constitution which demands people participation. It is important that Lamu people have a say in the project”, he said.
“Residents of this area should not be reduced into bystanders in the implementation of this gigantic project,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The DPM proposed that the people could exchange their land rights for a percentage investment in LAPSET so that they do not feel ignored.