Interior Cabinet Secretary nominee Kithure Kindiki has defended his ‘hostile’ language during his tenure in office.
Kindiki has clarified that it was not directed at law-abiding citizens.
Kindiki said this was a police language which he termed as unique and only meant for the criminals.
“Mr Speaker, this is a security language and the people I address when I use such terminologies are not the law-abiding citizens of Kenya,” he said.
“The people I address with that difficult or unique terminologies are the terrorists, bandits and organised criminals. Those are the people I tell them we will crush you and I mean it,” he submitted.
Kindiki was fielding questions from members of National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments when he appeared for vetting.
He was put to task to explain his use of terminologies such as 'I will crush you' and 'You will be met with the full force of the law'.
He is one of the 10 nominees who made a comeback to the Cabinet in the changes announced by President William Ruto as he constituted a broad-based government.
Kindiki at the same time stated the use of force is permitted by law when dealing with hardcore criminals.
He cited some parts of North Rift where he said security agencies have managed to neutralise those terroring residents.
He, however, stated that the use of that force depends on who it is directed at and the circumstances involved.
In September for instance, Kindiki vowed that the Kenya Kwanza government will not bend over its stand to fight al Shabaab.
He said that the government is determined to restore peace in the North Eastern region by dealing with the terrorist group.
"We have declared war on al-Shabaab. They might think they will outsmart us but we will crush them like we did cattle rustlers," Kindiki vowed.
Kindiki's remarks came after two militants of the al Shabaab terror group were killed in a shooting by military troops in the Bodhei area, Lamu County.
