Kenya should address rising insecurity before it’s too late
Updated Sunday, August 18th 2013 at 23:21 GMT +3
I do not intend to sound alarmist but it is obvious that with every passing day, security in this otherwise great country is getting worse. A few days ago, a policeman shot and injured a public service vehicle driver in Eldoret after he allegedly declined to give a bribe.
In Kisumu, it was reported that a police driver received serious injuries after he was assaulted by infuriated boda boda operators. An MP in Nakuru is accused of assaulting a traffic policewoman after an exchange of words. In Nairobi, a policeman is allegedly nursing serious injuries in hospital after a group of youths attacked him and two others before snatching their firearms.
As all these take place, Kenyans have conveniently forgotten that some months ago, 40 policemen died in Baragoi. Are our national security apparatus really up to the task? Where did the rain start beating us and when will it stop?
This is an issue of national concern that should not be left only to the new cabinet secretary and the Inspector General of Police.
Isn’t it time a national security forum involving security experts from within and without was convened to address this monster before it grows further and consumes the nation?
{David Kemboi, Eldoret}
It is scary that nowadays, our media outlets are full of stories about attacks on police officers by members of the public. This is not acceptable at all because it is a sign of a nation that is slowly sliding into anarchy. The respect and recognition of a vibrant police force is the hallmark of a civilised nation.
When it is not Chief Inspector Zebedayo Maina being shot and killed in unclear circumstances, it is a legislator allegedly beating up a traffic officer or boda boda operators beating up a police driver in Kisumu. These very unfortunate incidents must be condemned in the strongest terms because allowing them to continue unabated will only spell trouble for this nation.
The presence of an effective police force is a must if any nation is to develop. Security of citizens is a mandate of any government and its effectiveness determines the level of development and amount of investment a nation can attract.
A study should be done to establish why these attacks are happening. Are citizens hitting back at their former tormentors or are they merely expressing their disgust at a police force that is ill-equipped to respond to the citizens’ distress calls? The Government should address this matter quickly. Without a police force, we will all be at the mercy of criminals. I condemn the attacks on police officers whether on duty or not.
The Internal Affairs cabinet secretary should handle Moyale security matters soberly. It was wrong of him to state that the problem in Moyale can be attributed to the so-called REGABU, an acronym for Rendille, Gabra, Burji, yet there are no Rendille inhabiting Moyale District. This is an acronym perpetuated by haters of unity in Marsabit County. The unity between Kikuyu and Kalenjins in the March election has not been given any name or acronym.
{Mutahi Kahiga, Nyeri}
In Kisumu, it was reported that a police driver received serious injuries after he was assaulted by infuriated boda boda operators. An MP in Nakuru is accused of assaulting a traffic policewoman after an exchange of words. In Nairobi, a policeman is allegedly nursing serious injuries in hospital after a group of youths attacked him and two others before snatching their firearms.
As all these take place, Kenyans have conveniently forgotten that some months ago, 40 policemen died in Baragoi. Are our national security apparatus really up to the task? Where did the rain start beating us and when will it stop?
This is an issue of national concern that should not be left only to the new cabinet secretary and the Inspector General of Police.
Isn’t it time a national security forum involving security experts from within and without was convened to address this monster before it grows further and consumes the nation?
{David Kemboi, Eldoret}
It is scary that nowadays, our media outlets are full of stories about attacks on police officers by members of the public. This is not acceptable at all because it is a sign of a nation that is slowly sliding into anarchy. The respect and recognition of a vibrant police force is the hallmark of a civilised nation.
When it is not Chief Inspector Zebedayo Maina being shot and killed in unclear circumstances, it is a legislator allegedly beating up a traffic officer or boda boda operators beating up a police driver in Kisumu. These very unfortunate incidents must be condemned in the strongest terms because allowing them to continue unabated will only spell trouble for this nation.
The presence of an effective police force is a must if any nation is to develop. Security of citizens is a mandate of any government and its effectiveness determines the level of development and amount of investment a nation can attract.
A study should be done to establish why these attacks are happening. Are citizens hitting back at their former tormentors or are they merely expressing their disgust at a police force that is ill-equipped to respond to the citizens’ distress calls? The Government should address this matter quickly. Without a police force, we will all be at the mercy of criminals. I condemn the attacks on police officers whether on duty or not.
The Internal Affairs cabinet secretary should handle Moyale security matters soberly. It was wrong of him to state that the problem in Moyale can be attributed to the so-called REGABU, an acronym for Rendille, Gabra, Burji, yet there are no Rendille inhabiting Moyale District. This is an acronym perpetuated by haters of unity in Marsabit County. The unity between Kikuyu and Kalenjins in the March election has not been given any name or acronym.
{Mutahi Kahiga, Nyeri}
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