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{
    "id": 534737,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/534737/?format=api",
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    "content": "Indeed, it is a barbaric act that needs the condemnation of every person in this country and the world. It is a matter of concern that what is unfolding in Garissa, which is a tragedy, is a matter of serious concern to all of us in this country for two reasons: First, we have seen from 2010 when the Kenya Defence Forces moved to Somalia, the increase in the attacks in various parts of this country. We have also seen the statements from Al Shabaab that they are at war with Kenya and that the Kenya is a combatant in Somalia. Therefore, this is a matter that all Kenyans must stand together in condemning and to find a solution to. In this regard, I am one of those who have talked about this issue of terrorist attacks. These people have been massing on the borders of North Eastern region. We have repeated this at every opportunity but one of the most unfortunate things we have in our system is the failure by the state to dialogue with the leaders from the affected communities. In the last one month, there have been three attacks; two in Mandera, the first one is where the governor was attacked and another one where four Kenyans were attacked. Then there was another one in Wajir. In spite of all those people who were killed and the seriousness of those attacks by terrorists, the Government leaders who are responsible for security are yet to engage a single Member of Parliament from those two counties to discuss what happened. To make matters worse, they have even gone further to trivialize the matter by saying that those are just banditry attacks. You cannot have a Government today that is inconsistent with its Statements. One minute we are told it is terrorist attacks and the next minute we are told it is your own politics. The Government must stop playing politics on this matter. They need the support of all the leaders and the communities in those regions. Without the support of those regions, we will not succeed. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is clear to all and sundry that our KDF forces, whom we thank for the work they have done in Somalia--- It is time we went back to our strategic plan. Why did we go to Somalia? It was to create a buffer zone to ensure that the Al-Shabaab does not enter Kenya. However, have we succeeded? The answer is clearly obvious from the hundreds of incidences that have happened in the last four years that we have not succeeded. I appeal to the President to be very firm on those who have failed to deliver. In this regard, I want to particularly point out the issue of the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Julius Karangi, whose contract is about to expire. The President must make it clear that his contract should not be extended. If four years after going to Somalia, the KDF have failed to stop the Al-Shabaab from entering this country and they have also have failed to secure this country, there is no business that some officers should continue being in office in the same way all officers who have failed have been removed from office. It is incumbent on the President to send a strong message including up to the ground. The police commandants and police officers who were given intelligence information about the imminent attack on the university by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) should also be acted upon immediately. Unless we take action, if the President and the Cabinet Secretary (CS) continue to say that they have confidence in the security officers even when things have happened under their watch, we will not go anywhere. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}