Islamic leaders have called on the government to take strict action against government officials who neglected to carry out their duties while the death continues in Shakahola, Kilifi County.
The leaders have also asked Muslims to give their opinion to the panel that was created by President William Ruto to re-examine the legal guidance and control of religion after the events of Shakahola.
However, they said Muslims are not well represented in the panel, although that will not prevent their believers from expressing their opinions about which religions deserve to be controlled.
The chairman of the National Muslim Leaders Movement (NAMLEF) and Sheikh Ibrahim Lithome who is a member of the Jamia mosque management said the deaths that continue to be witnessed in Shakahola show that there is no religion that cannot be affected by extremism.
Therefore, the government should ensure that all government officials who were present when the disaster was going on deserve strict legal and disciplinary measures.
“Regarding the tragedy of Shakahola, an apology alone is not enough and the government has a responsibility to take strict action against it’s officers who acted recklessly at work and when deaths occurred,” said Mr Lithome in a press conference at the Jamia mosque.
The panel created by President Ruto is led by the former Member of Parliament for Mbeere South Mutava Musyimi was appointed on May 5 and is expected to complete it’s work after six months.
Lithome said the government should deal with the issue just as it has been doing with Muslims who have been accused of promoting extremism and terrorism.
“Muslim leaders have been protesting the misuse of the law where people are allegedly promoting extremist training without even knowing the truth.
Muslims have gone through a lot of torture, some being arrested and some disappearing without their whereabouts being known because they are terrorists.
It is our hope that no Kenyan will go through this torture on the basis of religion, ethnicity or race,” he added.
