Growing insecurity a threat to the economy

Editorial

There has been growing insecurity in the country of recent. Not only has the vice taken root in the city but in the countryside as well.

Daily, there are reports of robberies, muggings and deaths of innocent Kenyans in the hands of thugs. Some are done in broad daylight.

The situation is alarming.

Those putting up structures are forced to pay gangs as much as Sh50,000. Failure to pay them leads to destruction of the structure or property.

The silence by the security apparatus has led to the emergence of more terror gangs that now rule various parts of the country.

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Intelligence reports point to the same. While there are patrols, sometimes, the police seem to do so selectively.

The case of the recent detonation of a bomb, which injured several people in the city, is more worrying.

Insecurity is not only scaring investors — both local and international — but has also sent jitters in the tourism sector.

Recent reports show tourist arrivals between January and

March had plummeted 0.5 per cent to 312,258 compared to 313,000 recorded in the same period last year.

There are also reports of capital flight to countries deemed more stable. This could hurt the economy and increase unemployment.

The shilling is also wobbling due to high corporate demand for dollars, seen to be safer hold. It could signal the tough times ahead as we approach the General Election.

Despite several assurances by Internal Security minister, the vice has been on the increase.

Words are not enough. We need to see action the way the late John –– did.

Those bestowed the authority to protect Kenyans should never sleep on the job. They must work harder to tame the vice.