Abubakar Sheriff aka Makaburi was a radical preacher in Mombasa. Photo/XINHUA
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 2 – Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo is now appealing to members of the public to give information regarding Tuesday night’s killing of radical Mombasa cleric Sheikh Abubakar Shariff alias Makaburi and a colleague.
Kimaiyo said detectives are investigating the motive of the killing.
“Police officers responded swiftly while investigations have been launched to determine the motive and to effect the arrest of the persons involved in this heinous attack,” a statement by Kimaiyo emphasised.
“As the police investigate this incident, the Inspector General of the National Police appeals to anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward and inform the Police or call 999 or 112.”
Kimaiyo also said he had directed police commanders in the country to intensify patrols.
Earlier, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku who highlighted achievements in his ministry over the past year, said Makaburi’s assailants were no different from those who attacked a Likoni church leaving six people dead.
“The criminal or terrorist who injured baby Satrine Osinya and orphaned him is no different from that one who killed Makaburi and as Government, ours is to investigate and deal with the same according to the law and they will be brought to the book,” he assured.
Lenku reiterated the Government’s commitment to curb rising insecurity in the country – including terrorism activities witnessed in Nairobi and Mombasa lately.
He said the government will do everything possible to restore confidence among Kenyans following the increased terror threats.
“On the internal front, this insecurity has been driven by resource based conflict, organised crime and other general activities while on international front terrorism, radicalisation and poaching have become a major contributor to insecurity,” he noted.
“The Government has in place clear directions and plans to address the prevailing insecurity and to guarantee a stable environment for prosperity of this country.”
In the coming financial year 2014-1015, he said: “We have plans to revamp and revitalise the police Air Wing with an appointment of a senior officer to head that department.”
He said the Government will also allocate resources adequate to the needs of security agencies to modernise them and enable them meet current and emerging threats to safety.
The Cabinet Secretary also said that there will be increase of police numbers, while noting that already the numbers have significantly progressed from one police officer for 750 citizens to 1:535.
“We want to achieve a level better than recommended by United Nations 1:400 police officers to commensurate with the environment and terrain of our country,” he said.
The new developments will go along with issues of police welfare.
“Ground has been broken on a new police housing scheme at Ruai in Nairobi; this will soon be replicated across all 47 counties. An insurance scheme for the police will also be established this year,” he said.
He said the Nyumba Kumi initiative if well adopted will help also improve the situation further.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo on her part said the Kenya Defence Forces will step up the war against terrorism and more so by ensuring the Somalia Government stabilises.
She said the country was committed in the formation of a fully operational East Africa army which can be deployed to various regions by the end of this year.
“It is our intention at the Ministry of Defence to ensure that the Kenya Defence Forces achieve its vision to be a premier, credible and mission capable force deeply rooted in professionalism,” she stated.
“We will work with our partners in the East African standby force to ensure that this is done.”
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