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Kenyans
have all the reasons to be proud of Kenya Defence Force especially
after dedicating their lives to save the Westgate terrorism victims.
To many the mission was a success given the large number of rescued
hostages. One of the most disturbing issue is the flow of information
between the security agencies. During the incidence the agencies gave
contradicting information on what was going on in the mall especially
after smoke was seen emerging from the mall. If the claims coming up
that some people had informed the Kenyan intelligence agency on
possible terrorist attack then it would be worth asking the
precautionary measures that were put in place to prevent the attack.
It would be unfortunate to say that Kenyan security agencies never
learn from their previous mistakes but it is the reality to live by.
Westgate
mall terror attack was not the first terrorist attack on this country
especially in Nairobi. Does it mean that after the attacks the
agencies usually get back to their normal routine? If it is so then
there is need to change strategies on national security matters. The
7th
August 1998 bomb blast on the American Embassy was supposed to be an
eye opener to the security agencies. In fact, Al-Shabaab had given
Kenya a warning when KDF facilitated their downfall in Kismayu. Did
we take their warning serious? Some people are probably sleeping on
their jobs at the expense of the security of the citizens. At the
beginning of the year we witnessed an unnecessary power struggle in
the Police Service on who was superior? Then there were claims that
the junior police officers were on a go slow which also threatened
the country’s security.
The
state of security that is always witnessed after a tragedy has struck
the country is always encouraging. Something that our security
agencies may not be aware of is that after striking the assailants
always take a backstage view as the agencies spring into action. We
tend to forget quite fast. The country has experienced massive
insecurity instances for the past one year. Starting from the Church
bombing in Mandera, MRC attacks, Tana River clashes, Bungoma and
Busia attacks, it has been evident on the laxity of the security
agencies in ensuring that the Kenyan citizens are safe. The routine
of tightening security only after a tragedy is unwise and costly to
the nation.
A
country that once took pride in the peace its citizens enjoyed is
turning out to be insecure as the days advance. It’s not easy to
know when a tragedy may strike. The security agencies should take the
initiative of ensuring that the citizens are guaranteed of safety
wherever they are. There is need for the laws on arming private
security officers to be reviewed. There is no security the private
security officers would provide if they are only armed with metal
detectors and batons, they will have nothing to do incase assailants
strike with guns. The culture of beefing up security after an attack
has been carried out and many citizens killed is of little
significance in making citizens safe. Seemingly the assailants have
also learnt this weakness in the country’s security and are really
taking advantage of it. It is quite cheaper to put security measures
in place before an attack than after. This will help in making both
foreigners and Kenyans have trust in the country’s security detail.
Hence investors would be retained rather than fleeing the country due
to insecurity. Kenya is a great nation and those in charge of the
country’s security should not give terrorists a chance to tear it
asunder. A country built of hard work and colonial heroes and
heroines should not be run like a village.
