By STELLA CHERONO
Friday, June 19, 2015
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday asked security bosses to place their charges on the alert during the holy month of Ramadhan as he called for a review of curfews imposed in Mandera, Wajir, Lamu, Garissa and Tana River.
As Mr Kenyatta sought to make it easier for the Muslims to observe Ramadhan, he urged their leaders to cooperate with security agencies to ensure peace prevails.
The President spoke as Muslims worldwide started their month of fasting and prayers on the backdrop of warnings by Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinett that they have information about planned attacks by Al-Shaabab militants.
“Beware that the enemies of our country may wish to exploit this season. I call upon the entire Muslim fraternity and its leadership to remain vigilant, and do everything in their power to cooperate fully with the security agencies in order to safeguard this holy month,” said President Kenyatta.
He directed Interior Affairs Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery to review the curfews in the five North Eastern region counties following requests by leaders.
In what could be taken as a sign of goodwill to Muslims, he also directed the Central Bank of Kenya to issue comprehensive regulations that guide the operation of money remittance providers.
Mr Kenyatta said the suspension of licences for 13 registered providers would be lifted thereafter.
He spoke after meeting the National Security Council at State House in Nairobi.
During the meeting, security agencies also briefed Mr Kenyatta on the progress in the on-going investigations on the financing of terrorism.
“We want to ensure that our Muslim brothers and sisters fulfil their religious obligations without impediment,” he said, as he conveyed his message of goodwill.
The money remittance providers operating under the hawala system were suspended in April over allegations that they had links with financiers of terror activities.
The crux was that the remittance providers operate outside the CBK system, making it difficult to track the source and the recipients of the money.
The suspension was part of measures taken by the government after the Garissa University College attack that left 148 people dead.
Mr Kenyatta, however, did not give details on when the money transfer services would start operating.
The money transfer companies included the market leader Dahabshiil, UAE Exchange, Bakaal, Continental, Flex, Juba Express, Tawakal,Amal, Hodan, Iftin, Kendy, Kaah Express and Amana.
Mr Kenyatta’s directive comes just four days after two Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers and 11 members of the Al-Shabaab were killed following an attack on a military camp in Lamu.
Al-Shabaab, according to military sources, raided the KDF military camp at Baure around 5.45am on Sunday.