Persistent terror attacks witnessed in border towns in the northern part of the country can be combated if the government deploys more troops to the region, Kisii-based Muslim leaders have said.
Speaking at Jamia Mosque during evening prayers on Wednesday, the leaders criticised the mode used by the government to combat terrorism in the region, arguing that the government was only focused on the towns, ignoring remote areas which are vulnerable.
They argued that more resources were invested in the security docket without prior surveillance in a bid to gather intelligence on the attacks.
“Our borders are very porous and the government has not realised that. It is vital to beef up security in towns but even remote areas in the northern part of the country should not be forgotten,” said Sheikh Ahmed Rajab.
“Besides the porous borders, the intelligence agencies have not done enough despite massive investment in that docket. More intelligence officers should be deployed in our borders," added Rajab.
They urged the government to scrutinise immigration department on allegations of bribery to register aliens from the neighbouring Somalia.
“Members of Somali community in Kenya have been prejudised simply because some illegal immigrants from Somalia, who are behind attacks, are illegally registered by authorities. The government should carry out a total overhaul in the immigration department,” said Imam Ramadhan Hussein.