Tana River massacre: Where was the government?

The Government’s lackluster approach raises fundamental yet very disconcerting questions that leave our national security in quagmire: Does our Government really care about the security of all citizens irrespective of their social statuses? Why can’t the president who happens to be the commander in chief of all our armed forces command a swiftly action to end the ongoing massacre in Tana River?

Do we have a well-trained, effective and capable security apparatus that can protect the country from internal and external threats? Do we need to re-train our police on how to collect intelligence information, defuse impending tensions and respond to dangerous incidences? These are genuine questions that are in the minds of so many Kenyans following the Tana River massacre.

In the wider scheme of governance, we have two leaders in this Government-the president Mr. Kibaki and the Prime Minister Mr. Odinga. These two ‘principals’ must never allow Kenya to slide into anarchy. Rather, they should come forward and provide effective leadership not only on how to end Tana River massacre but protect all citizens especially as we approach general election year-a year that more often than not is characterized by violence.  

All things considered, our security apparatus must be prepared, trained and able to collect intelligence information and protect all citizens against impending threats. In the event that Kenyan citizens are threatened by an enemy all our security apparatus must be unleashed.

The armed police force, Kenya police service, the General service unit (GSU), the Administration police (AP), The National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), fighter jets, military trucks and helicopters exists not to be on displayed but to protect the livelihood of all Kenyans irrespective of their social statuses.  With all the security apparatus we have, Tana River massacre is shameful and inexcusable.

By Jacktone S. Ambuka, a resident of Pennsylvania USA working for Strawberry fields Inc.-anon-profit organization that cares for people with developmental disabilities.

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