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Failure to stem graft hurting Kenya’s security – expert

To contain the situation, Tom Ojienda a member of the Judicial Service Commission and a former Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission said historical injustices must also be addressed.

He pointed out the issues were largely reflected in the commission report that was handed to the President.

The issue, he says ranges from emotive land issues, some communities feeling alienated while some feel they are not well represented in the Government.

Lamu attacks, which left over 90 people dead and property of unknown value destroyed, have been linked to land grabbing.

President Kenyatta has since asked for revocation of title deeds of 500,000 acres of land for being illegally acquired.

On his part, Abdullaih recommends that the National Police Service should invest heavily in information gathering.

He however laments on the poor police-public relation has resulted to lack of trust between the parties.

“Our main problem is that we do not invest in information…when we give information, you are either asked where you got it or branded a suspect,” he stated. “That investment is not there…the informer system within the intelligence and police is not there.”

He said informers should be on, “retainer package” to keep them motivated.

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“Why do Americans (in Kenya) have prior information than the police?” he posed. “This is because they have invested in information collecting. People bringing information should be treated with respect.”

He also cautioned against politicising security matters more so on whether the Kenya Defence Forces should remain in Somalia.

He says even if they were to return, there is need to establish a well outlined exit plan to avoid impacting negatively on their gains.

“Al Shabaab is not a state that you are going to have a Memorandum of Understanding with. What assurance do we have that they will not attack after our forces returns back,” he wondered.

“We cannot say that we are coming back, please stop the attack…that level of thinking has no guarantee.”

Kenyan forces that are now fighting under the AMISOM command moved into Somalia in 2011 and have continued to boast of major success in neutralisng the Al Shabaab militia.

The Government has vowed to enhance security in the country following the upsurge of insecurity which has negatively impacted the country’s economy and citizens’ well being.

Other who addressed the forum included Christopher Gitari of the International centre for Transitional Justice and Hanif Vally, the Deputy Director Foundation for Human Rights, Johannesburg.

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