The Star
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Acting Internal Security minister Yussuf Haji has criticised some of the fellow Muslims who are opposed to the anti-terrorism bill. The bill that is yet to be tabled in Parliament has divided opinion among the Muslim community with majority of the leaders opposed to it claiming that it was out to oppress them.
Addressing more than 1,000 clerics, elders, women and youth from Garissa county at the weekend during a security meeting, Haji said "a few element are out to soil the good name of the Muslim community" by opposing the proposed bill. "We have a few individuals, who moving around purporting to be speaking on behalf of Muslims. They have form armophous groups and organisations and claim to be advocating for your rights, yet they only want is to further their selfish interests and agendas. You need to be aware of such people and their organisations and shun them," said Haji.
The minister, who was accompanied by the provincial security intelligence committee warned to individuals who were harbouring criminals saying the government will not tolerate them. "Unless you want our country to go the Somalia way, why should you be the one compromising our security by harbouring criminals or refugees who later turn to be a security threat? You need to complement the government efforts in ensuring security in the country," he added.
Haji said he will not condone any form of insecurity in Garissa especially now that he has been entrusted with the ministry and also being a local from the country "When you are given a job, you need to do your best and this is exactly what I am trying to do. I just hope you will assist me and other government officers in making this happen. I don't want to termed as a failure," he added.
During the meeting, some of the speakers requested for additional police stations saying the fast growing Garissa county needs more security officers. "If the government is serious with ensuring security in Garissa, then it needs to add at least seven police stations to assist to bring services closer to the people. The current one was built more than 50 years ago to serve a small population," said one local elder.