Eleven Members of Parliament from North Eastern Province recently traveled to Mogadishu, Somalia where they met President Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Farmaajo’ to discuss insecurity caused by Al-shabaab terror attacks.
They were hosted for a state reception by the Somali government and enjoyed a state dinner during round table talks.
The MPs who visited Somalia included Kullow Maalim (Banisa), Ahmed Kolosh (Wajir West), Ibrahim Abdi (Lafey), Rashid Kassim (Wajir East), Mohamed Hire (Lagdera), Omar Maalim (Mandera East), Bashir Abdullahi (Mandera North), Adan Haji (Mandera West),
Adan Ali sheikh (Mandera South), Mohamed Dahir (Dadaab) and Ahmed Bashane (Tarbaj).
The MPs were led by Wajir East lawmaker Rashid Kasim Amin who defended the trip as a legal one describing it as away of using home ground solutions to address problems facing citizens of both countries.
Speaking to press after the Boeing flight they used on their return from Mogadishu landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on March 1 2020, RK said the region is facing challenges in Security particularly Al-Shabaab attacks and the MPs thought it wise as Leadership to provide direction to curb this menace aware it originaly come from Somalia. “We thought it was wise to directly engage with our neighbouring country Somalia to address issues of insecurity which is threatening our common border”, he said.
RK noted the Leadership of NEP Region were challenged by HE President Uhuru Kenyatta to lead in the frontline in the war against Al-Shabaab and their trip to Somalia was part of homegrown solutions that President Kenyatta wanted them to engage in.
In an exclusive interview with NTV at Parliament building RK said what they were doing was parliamentary diplomacy to getting home made solutions.
The Lawmaker said NEP Region has suffered for along time and the Parliamentary visit was the best strategy to strengthen the war against Al-Shabaab and bring normalcy in the state of the Security of the people in NEP Region and Kenyan Nation at large.
RK applauded the head of state for affirming he was ready to protect this Nation and having faith with Kenya Defence Force (KDF) in the war against Al-Shabaab.
On the rumours that Somali Intelligence Agency hosted the MPs for talks, RK dismissed it as untrue terming it as a notion created by the media. He clarified that they only visited and held talks with President Abdullahi ‘Farmaajo’ saying any other agenda is created by the media.
Our best option was to engage President ‘Farmaajo’ since as leaders they have specific responsibilities not to meet the spy agency, he affirmed.
RK said in February all NEP leaders camped in their respective counties for a sensetization program on the war against Al-Shabaab where they engaged Religious leaders, Professionals, Civil Society and the members of the public in the exercise in a strategic plan to fight terror Groups.
The MP said during the sensetization program the leaders advised the people to speak in one voice and rally behind the Security forces by sharing intelligence information with them to protect their land.
RK said their sons and daughters have lost one of their biggest rights which is right to Education since many schools were closed after TSC withdrew teachers. He termed the move a serious blow to NEP learner’s. He said leaders will not accept that vowing they will fight to reverse the move.
RK just three years in office has come out to be a serious champion on matters of Security at the heart of all people in NEP Region.
The Legislator has also made a name in public debate inside and outside parliament where he has identified himself as a voice of vulnerable members of society.
