We are confident that National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale can lead the war against terror, North Eastern MPs have said.
The “misguided” and “ill-intended” attempts to associate Duale with terrorism were aimed at dividing Kenyans along ethnic lines, the 40 MPs said in a statement on Friday.
They accused a TNA official of politicising insecurity by calling for Duale’s resignation.
“The statement by TNA chairman Johnson Sakaja was unfortunate, uncalled for, irresponsible and had political overtones with no relationship to the fight against terrorism,” they said.
“We stand by our leader in this fight and no amount of intimidation or statement from shortsighted personalities will ever dim our spirits.”
The MPs said they will “name and shame” al Shabaab financiers and sympathisers as promised.
“As North Eastern leaders we stand by our earlier commitment, read on our behalf by Aden Duale, to work closely with our security agencies and the people of Northern Kenya to eradicate al Shabaab,” read the statement.
They cautioned their colleagues against dividing Kenyans along ethnic and religious lines saying this will make the country an easier target.
A section of Jubilee MPs asked Duale, who is Garissa MP, to step aside as majority leader “for being casual in matters of security”.
The MPs said he is taking too long to name the financiers and sympathisers. Last week, Duale said he would release the names in 30 days.
Sakaja and Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando said Duale seems to be calling for negotiations with the terror group’s financiers.
“Duale must furnish the state with the list or we shall take action,” Kabando said.
“He must take responsibility if there are no names, but he must also explain why he never named the individuals before.”
Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau however rallied behind Duale saying: “we don’t want to point fingers at this stage”.
“The best we can do is allow the leaders to give us the names as they promised,” Kamau said.
He said it was unfair to ask Duale to step down before submitting the names.
Lagdera MP Mohammed Shidiye accused the MPs of politicising the matter.
– the-star.co.ke
