Mombasa: A section of Coast Elders under the ambit of the Coast Restoration Council of Eminent Elders has urged politicians to desist from politicizing the functions of critical security agencies lest the country is exposed to external threats. They accused the politicians of double standards in addressing national issues and absolved the Director General of the National Intelligence Service Noordin Haji of any wrongdoing in the alleged abductions.
According to Kenya News Agency, the elders expressed their stance against the disappearance of youths, emphasizing that when a person is arrested, they should be taken to court, not subjected to political interference. Sheikh Abu Hamza highlighted similar incidents in the Coast region where several youths disappeared without any trace years back, during which local leaders remained silent. He questioned the inconsistency in addressing such issues and warned against raising political temperatures as it could hinder service delivery and the government’s ability to fulfill its promises.
The elders advised leaders to avoid tribalism, noting that the NIS boss was appointed based on qualifications rather than ethnicity or cronyism. Rukia Omar remarked that past occupants of the office did not face political scrutiny and emphasized that tribalism is detrimental to development. She urged politicians to focus on the upcoming polls in 2027 rather than sowing division.
Mohamed Hassan, a trader at Mackinnon Market, called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to address hate speech issues. He pointed out that the Somali community has also suffered losses, including the abduction of the Wajir MCA in Nairobi, who remains missing. Hassan questioned why individuals responsible for hate speech continue to walk free while ordinary citizens would face jail time for similar actions.