The Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has declined to link retired president Uhuru Kenyatta to alleged resurgence of the proscribed Mungiki sect days after sensational claims by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua disparaging the former Head of State.
However, during a media briefing at Harambee House yesterday, Kindiki said some political figures are involved in resuscitating the dreaded outlawed group and warned of dire consequences against those involved.
“Whether there is any evidence linking the former president to crime, I cannot comment to that…I will respond as follows; any person who is involved in encouraging crime, it doesn’t matter their rank in society, they have a date with me and my officers.” Kindiki said.
At the same time, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission expressed concerns over emergence of “organised criminal gangs banned in 2010 and 2016.”
Speaking early this week, the Deputy President, in an apparent veiled reference to Uhuru, he sensationally claimed that the former Head of State was involved in the regrouping of a criminal group.
Gachagua made similar grave remarks while attending a church service at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) in Kiambu to preside over retirement of Archbishop Julius Gitau.
“What do you want in this country? You occupied the highest position in this country, what else do you want? You are the richest man in this country, you literally own this country – including us – what else do you want? These are peoples’ children you are telling to go fight with the police so that they can be killed. What level of disdain to children of poor people is this? (Hii watoto ya wenyewe unawaambia waende wapigane na polisi wauwawe, hii ni madharau gani kwa watoto ya waatu maskini?).” Gachagua posed while in Nakuru on Monday this week.
This comes days after the former Mungiki leader cum politician Maina Njenga was arrested and charged for allegedly being a member of the outlawed Mungiki outfit.
“We saw them chanting outside the DCI when we arrested a suspect (Maina Njenga) and you can see the courage and demeanor of these criminals. I reiterate again that any person who thinks we can go back to the years when terror groups, hiding behind culture, raped, killed and extorted our people is mistaken.” Kindiki said.
He added that: “All those who are recruiting unsuspecting youths to join prescribed organisations are enemies of Kenya and for the sake of Kenya, we will come for you and get rid of you. As much as I want to decongest prisons, I have room for dangerous criminals.”
On the other hand, the CS said they have mapped out the national security threats and risks and exuded confidence that the terrorist threats have been adequately pre-empted, deterred and contained before they happened.
Meanwhile, Kindiki noted that the Kenyan passport applications processed within a period of one week following a shameful breakdown of the available single passport printing machine a week ago.
Kindiki said he had directed the Immigration Department to clear the current backlog of 42,000 passports within the next 21 days and thereafter begin issuing the travel document within seven days.
“To unlock the backlog within the Immigration department, I have directed that the 42,000 pending passport applications be processed within 21 days. Thereafter, all applications must be processed within seven.” The CS added.
However, for emergency situations like medical and educational services, the applicants’ requests must be considered and processed within 24 hours.
He pointed out that the current backlog had been occasioned by the breaking down of the printing machine.
“I plead for patience from all those seeking services at the Immigration department. Within 7 days, the faulty printing equipment will be fixed. 60,000 booklets were delivered last Friday and will be used to deal with the backlog of 42,000 passport applications.” He added.
