Kithure Kindiki’s vetting process on Tuesday got so intense and saw the Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda break down in tears.
Lesuuda broke down while questioning Kithure who was President William Ruto’s nominee for the Interior Cabinet Secretary’s position.
She requested Kindiki’s indulgence raising concerns that office bearers in the security docket seldom want to understand nor want to comprehend the security problem on the ground.
"I will request your indulgence because what I am about to ask is something that I know many of us share in this committee and I constantly get the feeling that officeholders responsible for matters of security don't really understand or even are willing to comprehend the pain caused by insecurity in the north," Lesuuda said.
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She wanted to know the plans Ruto’s administration had in place to end the current bandit activities that have dogged certain parts of the Rift Valley.
"What strategy do you have to end this menace once and for all so that as a leader I can execute my other national duties and concern myself only with security matters?" Lesuuda posed.
She shared a chilling episode in which armed bandits ambushed herdsmen in Samburu West constituency and made away with cattle.
Lesuuda also cited another recent attack that occurred on Tuesday morning in which one person lost their life and the whereabouts of 2 of her staff became unknown.
“Just yesterday, while I was undertaking this very important national duty, criminals from the neighbouring constituency ambushed herders and drove away with cattle,” Lesuuda said.
"As if that was enough, the criminals continue to be bolder by the day. This morning they attacked again, they killed one person, and two people are missing, one who is actually my staff.”
Lesuuda did not disguise her dissatisfaction with the government’s response to the dire situation and accused it of responding quickly only when the death of security personnel occurs during the attacks at the expense of the locals.
Samburu West MP Hon @Lesuuda Naisula breaks down as she narrated the pain caused by cattle rustlers and bandits to the people of Northern Kenya.
— Solomon Kuria (@kuriasolomonK) October 18, 2022
The wearer of the shoe knows where it pinches most.
Josephine Naisula Lesuuda knows the ordeal her people are going though. Painful pic.twitter.com/X9h2kKsNlN
She challenged Kithure to visit the area and stay for some time to experience the grim reality on the ground.
Kithure acknowledged Lesuuda’s concerns and said he has instructions to deal with the menace decisively.
"I agree with the honourable Naisula. She speaks on behalf of about 67 per cent of Kenya's territory, which is largely facing serious insecurity,” Kithure said.
"I have been instructed to make sure that we deal with banditry once and for all in the North Rift.”
