FORMER minister Amukowa Anangwe has slammed the Orange Democratic Movement for demanding for the withdrawal of KDF soldiers from Somalia.
ODM acting party leader Anyang’ Nyong’o in a statement sent to newsroom on Sunday said the continued presence of Kenyan troops in Somalia is dangerous as a wave of attacks continues.
“We are forced to ask again: When are our troops getting out of Somalia? What is the game plan for our exit? Where is the road map for a secure Kenya and a stable Somalia?” Nyong’o had said in the statement.
Anangwe said it is “foolhardy, nonsensical and cowardly” for ODM to demand for the withdrawal of the Kenyan contingent from Somalia saying Kenya troops in Somalia do not number more than 5,000 soldiers, which he said is less than a quarter of Kenya’s troops.
“It is also not strategic for Kenya to abandon AMISOM at this hour of increased and successful operations.The Al Shabaab has lost most towns in Somalia. If the Al Shabaab is not defeated decisively in Somalia, and are allowed to bring down the current Somalia Government, then the long-term security of Kenya would be at risk,” he said in his official face book page.
Anangwe served as a minister of medical services under president Moi’s regime.
Five matatu bus crew have been charged with failing to screen passengers in connection with the explosions in ill-fated buses on the Thika Road on Sunday.
They were charged with failure to prevent a felony, namely murder and were ordered to deposit personal bonds of Sh5 million each with two sureties of similar amounts.
The prosecution told the Makadara Chief Magistrate Emily Ominde that the crew failed to screen passengers “thereby allowing the buses to be blown up by an unknown passenger.”
Mr Robert Gakuru and Mr Joshua Wambugu, both drivers, and Mr James Munene, Mr Geoffrey Mwangi and Mr Antony Muthee who were conductors all denied the charge.
The case will be heard on July 17. A mention was set for May 20.
At least three people were killed and 62 wounded when two improvised bombs exploded on buses in the capital.
Of the 62 wounded, 20 were admitted in critical condition.
Sunday’s twin attacks were on two buses packed with commuters along Thika Road, headed to Githurai and Mwiki from the city centre.
The explosions came a day after two blasts at the Kenyan coast killed four people.
