Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga has been criticised for remarks he made regarding the country's fight against Al Shabaab terrorists.
In a statement issued on Friday, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Joseph Nkaissery condemned Odinga for claiming that the government was victimising the Somali and Muslim community in the fight against terrorism.
He stated that it was “shameful” for anyone to criminalise the Muslim community adding that it was equal to speaking in the same language as the terrorists.
“To label their efforts as Odinga did is to take the same position as Al Shabaab, Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups do when they characterise Muslims in security as betrayers of their people,” read the statement in part.
Nkaissery added that the fight against such groups was not political hence it was wrong for a person of Odinga's stature not to honour victims of terrorism through such remarks.
“To allege that the brave men and women serving in our security forces, who have lost their companions to terrorists are part of a campaign to criminalise the Muslim community is wrong and shameful. It does not mean that our work of transforming counter terrorism belongs to Jubilee Party. It is for the benefit of all including Hon. Raila Odinga,” Nkaissery affirmed.
CS Nkaissery reminded the CORD leader that it was he, and former President Mwai Kibaki, who authorised the deployment of Kenyan soldiers to Somalia in the war against Al Shabaab.
He called on Odinga to avoid politicising the matter and support the fight against the militants who have destabilised security in the country and within the region.
“It is a pity that Odinga is willing to overlook his knowledge and even our national security for the sake of short-term political interests. I urge him to cease the irresponsible and divisive statements such as those he made in Garissa,” he asserted.
Odinga, while addressing Garissa residents on Thursday, claimed that the government was treating the residents as suspects and criminals in the name of fighting terrorism.
