The MPs accused some TNA colleagues of seeking to “divide the country” in the wake of terrorist attacks.
Any list of terrorist financiers and sympathisers, they say, will only be shared with relevant security arms.
Forty Members of Parliament from northern Kenya have thrown their weight behind National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, following calls for his removal for failing to name alleged terrorists, their financiers and sympathisers.
Under the leadership of Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji, the 40 MPs accused a section of MPs allied to the TNA wing of the Jubilee coalition of seeking to “divide the country” in the wake of terrorist attacks.
They castigated TNA chairman Johnson Sakaja for calling on northern Kenya MPs, led by Duale (Garissa Township), to step aside for not revealing the alleged financiers of terror as the MP had declared he would.
The MPs clarified that at no time did the leadership of the troubled region say they would table a list of terrorist financiers and sympathisers saying such list, if any, will be shared with relevant security arms.
“We want to correct a wrong impression that has been (created) that we have a list of terrorists, financiers and their sympathisers,” Wajir Senator Abdirahaman Hassan said. “If we have such a list, then it is not meant for the media, politicians or public consumption. We will share with relevant organs of government.”
The furious MPs said they were solidly behind Mr Duale, who they say is spearheading efforts to flush out terrorists in the wake of the April 2 dawn massacre of 148 people, among them 142 Garissa University College students.
“While we continue to condemn terror and condole with the families of the deceased, we reaffirm our faith in the leadership of Duale and his commitment to lead us in the fight against the threat of terrorism fearlessly and in the strongest term,” Haji said in a joint statement issued at Parliament buildings Friday.
The leaders said they stand by their earlier commitment, delivered by Mr Duale, to work closely with security agencies and people of northern Kenya to eradicate Al-Shabaab elements and their sympathisers.
“While leaders of northern Kenya are committed to a tireless effort in the fight against terror and in sensitizing Kenyans to increase their vigilance against terrorists and sympathisers, we are deeply disappointed by utterances of some leaders whose statements negate the spirit of standing as one nation against terrorists killing our people and doing so in a manner aimed at dividing our country,” Haji said.
They termed the statement by Sakaja as uncalled for and irresponsible.
“The attempt to associate Duale and the leaders of northern Kenya with unfortunate acts of terrorism is misguided, ill intended and aimed at dividing Kenyans along ethnic and religious lines,” the MPs said.
“It is sad that when leaders from the affected region are going round to sensitise the citizens, some leaders are politicizing the fight. TNA is not a one-man party. We have not sat to decide that Mr Duale step aside and in fact we need Sakaja as the chairman to resign for trying to divide Kenyans,” Ali Wario (Bura) said.
Samburu West MP Lati Lelelit accused Sakaja of attempting to aid Al-Shabaab instead of rallying Kenyans behind the President in the fight against terror.
Mohammed Mohamud said their efforts in sensitizing communities were bearing fruits with parents coming out to report the disappearance of their children and individuals they suspect are terrorists of financiers.
The MPs supported government amnesty for those who have joined terror groups to surrender and called for extension of the deadline.
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