We must work with police to secure Kenya

We must applaud the Kenya Police Service for foiling a plot by suspected terrorists to carry out attacks against local and foreign targets within our borders. Citizens and visitors welcome reports by Inspector General of Police that prime suspects in the terror network have been apprehended and that the suspects have volunteered crucial information to help police with investigations.

It is a good thing that the police boss gave a detailed narrative of the movement of the suspects between Kenya and Iran. Although fine details of the plot were not shared with the public — for obvious security reasons — we must point out that the report makes citizen participation in securing the nation an everyday, all the time, everywhere affair. As a country we are lately attracting high profile visitors. A terror attack during any of these visits would send the wrong signal to the world about our ability to secure our borders.

The Government had raised the threat level a week before Pope Francis arrived, and it came as a relief to many that the visit went smoothly and without incident. The police would do a much better job of securing all of us if we all made it our individual responsibility to watch each others’ back and share whatever security information with relevant authorities.

It has become fashionable to blame the police whenever the country is attacked by terrorists. In some cases, the blame is based on failure by the officers to act on actionable intelligence or delay in taking the appropriate action. With better cooperation between the various security units and the public, Kenya would be a much safer country for all of us.

Recent attacks in Paris, France and in Monaco, Mali must remind us that we cannot afford to rest on our laurels, especially during this festive period when crowds gather in places of worship and entertainment joints.

Let us all work together and support our security agencies to secure our country.