Uhuru calls security chiefs, governors to crucial meeting
Anthony Mwangi, Sophie Njoka and Zadock Angira
President Uhuru Kenyatta has summoned top security officers, administrators and governors for a meeting in Mombasa where the State of insecurity and the Building the Bridges Initiative [BBI] debate are expected to feature prominently.
Multiple sources said some county governors, all county commissioners, and regional police commanders would attend the two-day crucial meeting starting Tuesday.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji and the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti have also been invited for a meeting of the security chiefs on Wednesday.
According to a senior regional police commander who sought anonymity for fear of victimisation the meeting was called by State House, but the agenda remained tightly guarded.
“I am aware that the meeting will be held at State House. It is a meeting of top police commanders, and a few selected governors. I am not aware of the criteria which was followed at reaching at the selection,” he said.
Another said all regional commissioners would meet the President tomorrow at noon at State House Mombasa for monthly updates on regional integration.
Others involved will be the Inspector General of Police, Heads of Intelligence and Army Commanders and security personnel.
The source added that top on the agenda of the high level meeting will be the recent al Shabaab attacks, state of insecurity at the Coast and Mandera, perceived hostility against BBI report and rising political temperatures.
Top security chiefs including regional commissioners and commanders from the National Intelligence Service, police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations will have their meeting with the Head of state on Wednesday.
The security bosses meeting, scheduled to take place at a Mombasa hotel and the final one held at the Mombasa State House, will focus on the latest insecurity incidents in the country in the last few weeks, according to sources from the Office of the President.
The meeting comes at a time when political temperatures have heightened, especially on the draft BBI report, which is causing sharp divisions on the political arena.
While the Opposition, led by ODM leader Raila Odinga, has embraced the report, Deputy President William Ruto and his allies have expressed reservations, claiming their competitors are using it as a campaign tool for 2022.
Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai has already briefed top police commanders about the meeting and its agenda. The meeting is also expected to discuss the challenges and grievances of officers.
Uhuru has been operating from Mombasa since late last month and has had several meetings in the Coastal town.
Last week, the President met the Director of Criminal Investigations in Mombasa where a number of issues were discussed including the cases pending under investigations.
The January 15 meeting also coincides with the fourth and first anniversary of the El Adde attack and the DusitD2 terror attacks.
Terrorists have recently targeted security officers, with about 50 killed last year in separate attacks.
Coast Regional Police coordinator John Elungata said he was not aware of the said meeting. “I have no idea of the said meeting. I am hearing it from you,” said Elungata in a phone interview on Sunday evening.
There were unconfirmed reports that governors opposed to the BBI had not been invited for the meeting. Some Coast governors declined to pick calls when contacted by People Daily.
In another development, Lamu County Police Commander, Perminius Kioi has been recalled to Vigilance House after five-year stint in the area.
The reports of his transfer comes barely a few days after al Shabaab militants attacked a military camp in Lamu that left at least three US soldiers dead.
“The President has been around and that is why he has called the meeting. I believe there are a lot of issues to be discussed,” said another security official who is not authorised to speak to the media.
On January 07, 2020 Uhuru hosted Guinea Bissau President-Elect Umaro Cissoko Embalo to a bilateral meeting where the two heads of state agreed to enhance their cooperation for the benefit of the citizens of the two nations.
The leaders singled out exchange of students and teachers, collaboration in technical training, trade and security as some of the key areas of focus in bolstering cooperation between Kenya and Guinea Bissau.
In another development, Lamu County Police Commander, Perminius Kioi has been recalled to Vigilance House after five-year stint in the area.
The reports of his transfer comes barely a few days after al Shabaab militants attacked a military camp in Lamu that left at least three US soldiers dead.
Kioi has had his share of challenges, ranging from Al shabaab attacks to closure of schools in Boni forest over insecurity.
Four people died ten days ago when al Shabaab militants attacked a passenger bus plying along Mombasa-Lamu highway. His replacement has not been announced.
