Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery has announced measures aimed at improving security in counties that border Somalia.
The measures include mopping up of illegal arms and increasing the number of police stations in Wajir, Mandera and Garissa counties.
The Kenya Defence Forces will also be deployed to man the regions bordering Somalia.
Mr Nkaissery and his Principal Secretary Monica Juma met senators, governors and MPs from Wajir, Garissa, Mandera and Tana River counties in Nairobi over insecurity in their areas.
“We want to bring peace and security in the north-eastern region and the resolutions we have made are the first step. Our next step will be the implementation by my ministry,” Mr Nkaissery told a news briefing after a five-hour meeting with the leaders.
Other proposals include reinforcing patrols on international boundaries and thorough checks on all foreigners entering Kenya.
“We also want to check on movement of goods at the borders (and) curb corruption to also ensure that we facilitate tax collections,” said Ms Juma, who read the resolutions.
INTER-CLAN CONFLICT
Clanism was singled out as one of the causes of insecurity in the region.
Last year, several people were killed and others displaced in inter-clan conflict between the Degodia and Garre communities in Wajir and Mandera counties.
Mr Nkaissery asked leaders to start peace campaigns in the region.
“(National Assembly Majority Leader) Adan Duale and (Senator) Yusuf Haji will spearhead the anti-clanism campaign,” said Ms Juma and added that the negative perception of Kenyan Somalis would also be addressed.
Ms Juma reported that her ministry would also request more funds from the National Treasury for the Presidential Peace Task Force.
The task force was formed by the President to lead peace-building efforts in Wajir and Mandera counties.
Nkaissery pledges to end insecurity in counties on Kenya-Somali border
