For the umpteenth time, the Social Democratic Party of Kenya is demanding for concrete action from the Jubilee Government, with respect to ensuring the physical and psychological safety of every citizen of this country.
The SDP has in past statements demanded for the removal of all the top internal Security chiefs, and the restructuring of the country’s security organs so that we can have people who understand, and can act on the needs of Kenyans, in matters of Security.
The SDP has in the past demanded that the Security agencies put their priorities in order, and ensure the security of every Kenyan, rather than over-securing state officials, and under-securing the population.
The SDP has in the past repeatedly asked that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) be taken seriously by the other Security agencies, and that on its part, it should cease spying and eavesdropping on progressive Politicians and patriots who dedicate their lives to bettering this country, and instead concentrate their resources on criminals and terrorists who are now operating freely.
The SDP has also in the past stated that the fight against terrorism, just like any other crime, can only be won by eradicating corruption, use of intelligence, working with the masses, and improving the livelihood of the people through creation of jobs, lowering the cost of living and implementation of article 43 of our constitution.
Millions of concerned Kenyans have made similar and other demands through petitions to State organs, and through statements in the media & Social Media, but no action (other than the resignation/removal of Maj-Gen Michael Gichangi) has been taken.
(Also Read: http://goo.gl/QoeF3i, http://goo.gl/nS8ui7, & http://goo.gl/3e9ufC)
It seems like the Ethnic political arithmetic for the General Elections of 2017 is more important to the Jubilee government, that sacking Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku (who is too incompetent to perform, and too heartless to resign) is not an option. The same applies to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. David Kimaiyo, whose political expediency is what the Jubilee Government (with its majority numbers in Parliament) really cares about.
The Head of State, and His Deputy have resorted to sending condolences to victims, and giving stern warnings to terrorists, while the situation continues to deteriorate.
Recently, they have found new excuses in the form of “Radicalisation” of the youths, and the “responsibility of the citizens to protect themselves.”
They have not told us, (let alone explained) what this radicalisation actually entails, neither have we seen any meaningful successful convictions of those arrested. We have instead seen nonsensical show of might, where hundreds of police men and women waste their time and skills barricading some mosque for weeks, instead of infiltrating terrorist groups and unearthing any illegal activities that may be planned therein. Isn’t it obvious to them that if indeed in those mosques there were groups planning terror attacks, then they have since the closure, relocated to another venue? Could it be that the Government has another agenda other that “fighting terrorism?”
When the Presidents says that security begins with the individual, How does he expect Kenyans to work with the Security agents, when the police keep on harassing the unemployed youths in the name of fighting crime?
How does the National Government expect the ordinary mwananchi to give information to the Police, when it ignores/dismisses intelligence information from a democratically elected Governor?
How can Kenyans trust the Government, when the Deputy President smiles before a press conference and lies about the killing of 100 Al-Shabaab terrorists?
The Jubilee Government keeps on giving us statistics of how the police service is out-numbered by the population, yet every night, there are hundreds of police men & women manning Alcoblow road blocks, where all they care about is how many drinkers they can arrest, and how much bribes they can raise, with absolutely zero concern on whether these cars could be carrying weapons and bombs. The same replays during the day, with the speed limit road blocks where it is all about raising money, rather than ensuring security. A perfect case of misplaced priorities.
Whereas the rank and file soldiers, together with the junior KDF officers continue to risk their lives in the line of duty in Somalia, we no longer receive any progress reports on what is happening on the ground;- the only reliable reports that Kenyans are getting is of how the top echelons of KDF Commanders are colluding with the Al Shabaab terrorists in the deforestation and selling of charcoal in Kismayu.
Conclusion
Even though we understand that terrorists can attack anywhere anytime, President Uhuru Kenyatta must know that in the final analysis, the buck stops with him, and he is responsible for all the avoidable insecurity and terrorist activities that this country is facing. The fact that he continues to allow a dysfunctional security system to exist when he can get rid of it is just but an example of his role in promoting terrorism in Kenya.
The Government must also know that collaborating with imperialist western intelligence agencies like the CIA, Mossad and MI6 to fight terrorism, which they themselves have created, is actually counter-productive and will only worsen the situation.
Kenyans should also know that with a Capitalist Government and State like we have now, it is only when the elites and their investments are attacked that the Government really cares. That is why little action is taken when the masses are killed left, right and centre.
The only long-term solution is by having a Socialist Government and State, which anchors itself /is responsible to the masses of the people, and not the owners/controllers of capital.
The SDP expresses its most heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives of all the hard working Kenyans who have lost their lives in Mandera, and other places, due to these senseless terrorist attacks.
Benedict WACHIRA
Secretary General
Social Democratic Party of Kenya
2 December, 2014