- The names were published in the gazette notice Vol. CXXVI—No. 8 dated January 19, 2024.
- The eight are Ramadhan Adan, Yusuf Abdalla Mustafa, Philip Kariuki Karanja alias Rashid Abdalla, Milan Mahugu Simba, Bahati Bora Uzima, David Wambua , Simon Karuga Gitau and Musa Abdallah Kassim
Image: MINA
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has gazetted the names of eight individuals believed to have links to terrorism.
The names were published in the gazette notice Vol. CXXVI—No. 8 dated January 19, 2024.
The eight are Ramadhan Adan, Yusuf Abdalla Mustafa, Philip Kariuki Karanja alias Rashid Abdalla, Milan Mahugu Simba, Bahati Bora Uzima, David Wambua , Simon Karuga Gitau and Musa Abdallah Kassim
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 (3) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares the following entities to be specified entities for the Act," reads the notice.
The law as highlighted in the Prevention of Terrorism Act, section 3 allows the Interior CS to gazette such individuals.
However, this is after receiving a recommendation from the Inspector-General on why he should or should not declare such persons as a specified entity.
"Upon receipt of the recommendation under subsection (1), the Cabinet Secretary may, where he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to support a recommendation made under subsection (1), declare, by order published in the Gazette, the entity in respect of which the recommendation has been made to be a specified entity," reads section 3 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
After gazetting the names, the Interior CS is also mandated to explain the reasons why he decided to take such actions.
"The Cabinet Secretary shall inform the entity in respect of which the order is made, in writing, of his decision together with reasons for arriving at that decision, within a period of seven days from the date of declaring the entity a specified entity," read the Act further.
In his New Year message, CS Kindiki said his priority in 2024 will remain the safety and security of Kenyans.
The Interior boss stated it won't be business as usual in 2024.
Kindiki affirmed that 2024 will be a pivotal year, marked by an escalation of efforts in the ongoing war against banditry.
"2024 will be the year of sustaining and upscaling the war on banditry. We will build on the successes and gains of 2023," he said.
"We have covered at least 70 per cent of this war and the remaining 30 per cent in a few parts of Samburu East, Samburu West, Isiolo, and Turkana."
Kindiki noted that the government is closing in on the criminals hiding there and orchestrating attacks in isolated areas.
He added that the suppression of bandit terror will pave the way for the opening up of the Northern Rift Valley region through social amenities, economic infrastructure, and durable peace-building programs spearheaded by the government but involving non-governmental stakeholders.