Dr Adan Keynan, the longest serving Member of Parliament from Wajir County today joined other leaders and the County Security committee in an attempt to counter violent extremism spearheaded by Al-shabaab.
In his remarks the MP said with new constitution of 2010 Kenya is celebrating a Devolution system of Government which has brought public coffers down to the grassroots being enjoyed in NEP.
The Lagislator however regretted that NEP Region is experiencing violent extremism brought by Al-shabaab who stand as the biggest threat to the region’s security.
Al-shabaab is the biggest disease, the mp said noting that many projects are not being implemented by the government due to terrorism incidents in the Region.
Dr Adan Keynan says “Al-shabaab is everywhere in the Region and rules out any Community being blamed, encourages common fight as the last result”
Dr Keynan said fighting Al-shabaab is not only the work of the Security team, but a collective responsibility of all citizens. He said no Sub-County is safe or certain Community noting that Al-shabaab has no tribe. “The only thing is to pray to God to ensure the sub counties are safe. Lets pray and remain vigilant”, he said.
The MP said education has been seriously affected where close to 3,000 students got grade E in last year’s KCSE. As leaders, he said they should talk about how to address the bigger problem than just insecurity. “Those children now don’t have hope. Rather than discussing how to boost our academic performance as a County we are busy with Security matters which is very unfortunate”, he said.
Dr Keynan said the government has been very supportive in Security matters. He thanked the National Government in doubling it’s efforts in the fight against terrorism. The MP particularly thanked the Most powerful man in Kenya who is also the Commamder in Chief of Kenya Defence Forces, President Uhuru Kenyatta for restoring peace across the borders despite few coward attacks spearheaded by Al-shabaab through use of IED bombs.
The MP however said there is chance today following the meeting where leaders met top Governnent officials to work out on moderities to fight the terror menace. He expressed concern that a lot of money and resources are being used to fight Al-shabaab instead of being used for development.
Dr Adan Keynan said as a Pastoralists Community, the Somalis were everywhere in Kenya engaged in business in each county across the nation and warned that for them to be implicated in being Al-shabaab accomplices was missing the point.
The MP said as long as you are a Kenyan you have freedom that is enshrined in the constitution and you can work anywhere in Kenya.
Speaking to the locals Dr Keynan said Kenyas are now are busy with the BBI Report which is aimed at creating an Inclusive Government where each Community in Kenya feels represented. As Somalis we must also be like other communities who are preparing themselves for the next dispensation of this nation, he stressed.
On BBI Politics the Lawmaker said as NEP leaders they are fully behind the Report.
” Mheshimiwa Yussuf Haji is a celebrated son of Northern Kenya and we have accepted his ideas contained in the BBI Report since it will bring Kenyas together ” Dr Keynan said.
The MP declared the leaders in the region were fully behind President Uhuru Kenyatta and Rt Honourable Raila Odinga adding they will be in the frontline in popularizing BBI in NEP Region.
The MP also threw weight behind the man who is incharge of BBI Brigade in the region, the Governor of Garissa County Ali Korane.
Dr Keynan said as leaders they have faith in Governor Korane in leading BBI agenda in NEP counties.
On ethnicity the MP challenged the locals to use their tribe identity to unify themselves and not for using it to cause hatred leading to bloodshed.
Dr Keynan’s long service as a member of Parliament has modeled him as a voice for the people not only in NEP region, but Kenya in general.