Police investigating the murder of a Venezuelan diplomat last week have a difficult task ahead. Whatever happens, they must unearth the real killer and reasons for the murder.
Given that the embassy has been in the news over a case in which the former envoy was accused by staff of sexual harassment, the latest scandal paints a poor picture of the embassy.
Investors spooked
But that is not all.
The fact that the diplomat had been in the country for just two weeks paints the country in a negative light. In addition to criminal acts within the diplomatic community, the general level of security in Nairobi and some parts of the country have deteriorated significantly since the beginning of the year, so much so that investors are getting spooked. Petty crimes and armed robberies have increased in the centre of the capital while carjacking and home invasions are also on the rise.
No investor wants to put his or her money in a country with a generally high rate of insecurity and something must be done to arrest this worrying trend.
Combined with concern over the utterances of politicians gunning for the presidency and the possible impact on events leading up to the General Election, such a cocktail can only serve to strangle foreign direct investment.
Criminals are beginning to imagine they have the upper hand over police and are going about their work with a swagger.
Only firm action by the police top command will grind their celebrations to a halt.
