Think like a terrorist, act like a government

Kenya: It seems that the 100 terrorists responsible for the recent Mandera Bus attack (the ones who were ‘firmly’ and ‘ruthlessly’ dealt with) have resurrected and murdered 36 more innocent souls in Mandera. As usual, those in charge of national security will hurriedly call a press conference and assure Kenyans that everything is in control. That we cannot dispute. Judging from the non-prosecution of culprits involved in the Anglo-Leasing, Goldenberg and now Chickengate frauds; impunity is firmly in control.

Once again, I will be told that my security is in my hands and that I should not complain because the government has ‘prevented’ many more potential attacks. What they don’t specify is that the attacks were probably directed against the ‘influential’ members of society.

I salute the police officers and security personnel.

They put their lives on the line in order to protect lives. This they diligently do despite poor pay, decrepit living conditions, malfunctioning equipment, insufficient resources and uncooperative citizens. These gallant men and women tirelessly combat crime, making our nation a better place for future generations. Without them, we would have long descended into anarchy. However, their gains are being steadily eroded by a few selfish individuals who believe that Kenya belongs only to them and not the other 43 million citizens.

True, we cannot have 1 police officer to guard each citizen, but why do we have thousands guarding a couple of politicians? Which probably is the reason why the President has asked citizens to take care of their own security.

Our National INTELLIGENCE Service confirms that our leaders are not necessarily INTELLIGENT.

We are tired of watching our leaders constantly passing the buck, yet we elected them to represent us. NIS claims that the security forces ignore their reports. The security forces claim that they were not alerted. The Cabinet Secretary in charge of Defence remains silent. The Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Coordination of National Government cooks up a hilarious script. Even a toddler can figure out that something’s not right. You don’t need a degree to realize that the power struggle within our security forces is the real terrorist danger to all of us.  Yet, we’re treated to empty rhetoric and improbable statements; as if Kenyans can’t see through the smokescreen. This is the Information Era and people are more enlightened than 20 years ago. It’s time for the leadership to re-invent their propaganda machines.

Displaying outdated photographs from ‘successful’ missions makes one doubt if the ‘digital’ government is aware of how the internet truly works.

Terrorism thrives on chaos, which we are promoting.

While people in positions of power blatantly flout the laws that govern our land, the militants are taking advantage of the rampant confusion.

It will even be better if the leadership is being seen to act. Successfully prosecute and imprison a couple of politicians, drug lords and ‘influential’ individuals for goodwill from the citizenry to be restored. The failure to do so is the reason petty crime is escalating into national insecurity. Criminals are sure that they will get away with their heinous acts as long as they grease the right hands. This same failure is the reason the general public doesn’t bother to report suspicious incidents, because they know it will come to naught.

Propagation of impunity

A traffic police officer cannot enforce rules on some public service vehicles because they are under the patronage of a superior. An anti-poaching unit cannot prevent or react to cattle rustling because the invaders are under the patronage of a superior. The drug squad helplessly watches as tonnes of drugs crisscross the country under the patronage of a superior. No one can explain how arms have flooded the nation, simply because a superior has blocked the investigations. The result?  Chaos.

The general public resorts to mob justice simply because the police are seen to be lenient with perpetrators of crime. Jailing chicken thieves or animal ‘sodomists’ won’t deter muggers, rapists, carjackers and thugs. Prosecuting those driving at 52 kph won’t put off those who routinely overload unroadworthy vehicles.

Think like a terrorist

If the government is serious about stamping out the terrorists, it has to think like them. Mandera and Wajir are ‘soft’ targets. They are simply training grounds in preparation for catastrophic damage. This is because they are relatively sparsely populated. By now, the security forces should know that the militants are working their way to densely populated areas.

Case studies

It doesn’t take a genius to realize that Al Shabaab are following the modus operandi of Boko Haram and ISIS. They too started small, with ‘soft’ targets. The militants have rapidly grown in number, taking advantage of unstable and corrupt governments to wreak havoc. What starts out as religious battle, escalates into an economic and political war. Somewhere along the way, religion is dropped and they start turning on fellow practitioners of Islam. Influential individuals, who are currently bribed to look the other way as arms and militants are being smuggled into Kenya, will be done away with once they outlive their usefulness.

In addition to targeting malls, places of worship and public service vehicles, there are plenty of other targets on the terrorists’ list. Fortunately, plenty can be done to avert them.

Target 1: Traffic jams in cities and towns

The congested roads may appear to be a slight inconvenience in the growth of the nation, yet they are perfect sites for widespread destruction and fear. Since vehicles are stationary, explosions and shootings have the potential to inflict many casualties.

Solutions

The Traffic Act must be followed without fear or favour. Clamping down of unroadworthy vehicles, perennial traffic offenders – including errant public service and government vehicles – will not only reduce congestion, but restore order and promote faster moving traffic. This also has the benefit of spurring economic growth.

Target 2: Sub-standard buildings & constructions

Some buildings in some estates look like they are being held up by cello tape and prayers. They are very unstable and a well-placed charge will cause untold damage. The militants have the capacity to shift from attacking Europeans and Americans to focusing on Kenyans, as is currently happening.

Solutions

County governments have to demolish buildings unfit for human habitation, while ensuring that constructions are of reasonable standard. That is not an option.

Target 3: Schools

These are generally congested across Kenya. In addition to causing mass destruction, militants can abduct pupils/ students; brainwashing them to serve their cause.

Solutions

 Community policing. This can only be effective if the security forces firmly deal with the thugs terrorizing the residents. Once the mwananchi sees that the government is on their side, they will happily inform the leaders of any suspicious activities affecting their security. Once justice is seen to be done, it will receive overwhelming support.

As long as we continue giving and receiving bribes, promoting negative tribalism, sustaining impunity; basically flouting the Constitution that is meant to govern us, we will continue sliding down the slippery road towards anarchy.