Security expert Retired Major Bashir Abdullaih speaks to Capital FM News on Garissa attack/MIKE KARIUKI
Security expert Retired Major Bashir Abdullaih says this will ensure those in such positions take their jobs seriously since in the past there have been suspensions followed by mere transfers to other areas.
“Suspension will not be enough…let them be taken to a court of law if found guilty. In this case they will have abetted crime,” he told Capital FM News on Thursday.
“This will show that they are not loyal to the country. It is the high time each and every person feel he has a responsibility.”
He said as much as police bosses should be held responsible of any security hitch, even the junior officers who interact directly with the public need to be focused on.
“The commanders in Garissa were representing the government. It is the officers on the ground who have been given the mandate to act but failed. If there is laxity or incompetence, they are the one to be answerable,” he said.
He said the National Police Service must ensure proper structures are put in place to ensure intelligence is acted upon as soon as it is provided.
“Intelligence should be acted upon before the incident,” he said.
Officers suspended over the Garissa University College terror attack that claimed 148 lives include North Eastern Regional Coordinator Ernest Munyi, Garissa County Commissioner Njenga Miiri and seven senior police officers.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery said a preliminary investigation by a team from the ministry had recommended the investigation of the officers to assess their culpability in responding to intelligence reports of a possible attack in the area, and whether they disregarded the warning.
Others suspended are Christopher Muthee (County Commander) who doubles up as the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Musa Yego (County Criminal Investigations Officer), Charles Wambugu (Kenya Police County Commander), Benjamin Ong’ombe (OCPD) Garissa, John Cheruiyot Sawe sub county AP commander, Nicholas Kimanzi Anti Terrorism Police Unit(ATPU) and Charles Ayoro the Deputy OC, Garissa Police station.
Abdullaih who joined Northeastern leaders during a recent seven-day peace mission to speak against Al-Shabaab said among the proposals they have made to President Uhuru Kenyatta is formation of a military anti-terror squad.
The military squad will be mandated to deal prevent any imminent attacks.
He lauded the construction of a wall at the Kenya-Somalia border saying it will create designated points of entry for those who wish to enter Kenya.
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