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Uhuru defends security operations in places of worship

President Kenyatta stated that some leaders have used places of worship to preach violence and points out that tough action will be taken against such individuals/FILE

President Kenyatta stated that some leaders have used places of worship to preach violence and points out that tough action will be taken against such individuals/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 26 – President Uhuru Kenyatta says the crackdown on places of worship that spread inciteful messages or are used to store weapons will continue while stressing the need for religious leaders to take responsibility for what goes on their organisations.

Speaking after meeting top security advisers to discuss the recent Mandera killings at State House Nairobi, President Kenyatta stated that some leaders have used places of worship to preach violence and points out that tough action will be taken against such individuals.

“When we go and say this is a place of worship and then you use a place of worship to preach to your followers to do this in this particular way and then God will bless you. Which God blesses someone who tells you to go and hurt your fellow humans?” he posed.

President Kenyatta, who returned Tuesday night from an official visit to Abu Dhabi, was briefed on the operation being undertaken by the Kenya Defence Forces.

READ KDF killed 100 Shabaab after Mandera massacre – Ruto

“When the police get to the place of worship, you are the first person to say that we are being harassed but when you enter that building, it is being used to store weapons. Why can’t you as a leader say that we will not allow a place of worship to be used to spread propaganda or to store weapons to be used for destruction?” he urged.

He called on all leaders to take the issue of security seriously and ensure peace prevails in the country.

“When an incident occurs, you as a leader is the first one who says there is not security in our country. Where were you when those weapons were being stored there? You need to take responsibility for what takes place in your areas of worship so that we can improve security for 40 million Kenyans,” he stated.

During his meeting with top security advisors, action plans were discussed that will deter other attacks by terror groups and organised criminal gangs.

Suspected Al-Shabaab militants attacked a Nairobi-bound bus in Mandera near the Kenya-Somali border on Saturday morning killing 28 passengers.

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READ Gunmen execute 28 on Kenya bus near Somalia border

While in the United Arab Emirates, President Uhuru Kenyatta held bilateral talks with leaders from Jordan and the UAE on issues of security, combating terrorism and stemming radicalisation.

President Kenyatta met His Royal Highness King Abdullah II of Jordan, with whom he discussed threats posed by terrorism to Kenya and the Middle East.

Jordan is a leading player in efforts to secure peace in the Middle East and President Kenyatta asked that Jordan shares its experiences and expertise in tackling emerging terrorism threats.

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