www.Kisii.Com: Syndicated news from only reputable sources [Nation, and Standard Newspapers, Kenya Times, KBC, etc.]

Tight security as Kibaki tours Kisii

• 
• 

Details

Published on Tuesday, 30 December 2008 20:05

Police mounted an unusual security search in Kisii as President Kibaki visited the area. This was his first tour of Kisii since the last General Election. Police officers, in uniform and plain clothes, prowled the Gusii Stadium and its vicinity and searched everyone entering the facility.

The more than 100 security officers did not spare journalists either.They searched reporters and their vehicles before allowing them into the arena. Police sources said the police were searching for any hidden placards and protesting materials by members of the public.

Kibaki was at the stadium to preside over a funds drive organised by the local Catholic Church to help raise funds for the construction of a seminary. Catholic Head John Cardinal Njue, Bishop Mairura Okwemwa, Nyanza PC Paul Olando and local MPs attended the function. Speaking at the function Internal Security Minister George Saitoti said the Government would send more police officers to Kisii to fight growing insecurity in the area.

Local leaders led by ministers Sam Ongeri and Chris Obure had claimed that armed gangsters were killing and robbing people in the area. Cardinal Njue told Kibaki to prevail upon MPs to pay tax.

He said Kenyans were yearning for that time when legislators’ allowances would be taxed. "It is high time we all felt like members of one family in paying tax. We would wish to see that time when MPs will express solidarity with the rest of Kenyans on this issue," Njue said. "If MPs don’t want to be taxed on their allowances and we know where they draw the money from it is like milking a cow without feeding it," Njue said.

A sea of humanity that filled the stadium cheered him on chanting: "Tell them they must pay tax like us!" However, when Kibaki rose to address the meeting, he steered clear of issue.