Security chiefs must now rise to the occasion and protect our homeland

Ways of resolving runaway insecurity in the country may have started with the recent removal of heads of security in government but that is certainly not all there is to the situation.

With Joseph Nkaissery recently taking over office as Cabinet Secretary, Interior and Coordination of National Government, there is no doubt Kenyans are waiting with bated breath for notable reforms in the sector that will help contain acts of crime and terrorism.

The nomination of Joseph Boinett as the new Inspector General of Police also comes with huge expectations.

As it is, Kenyans need a performer; someone who can demonstrate courage; exercise power and make tough decisions to ensure the sovereignty of the nation is protected.

If Boinett’s nomination is endorsed by the National Assembly, Kenyans who bear the brunt of terror attacks and spates of cattle rustling will expect him to steer major reforms in the sector without fear or intimidation from anyone.

l know Boinett has worked in the diplomacy department but l hope he will ensure the three arms — NSIS Administration police, National Police and Criminal Investigations Department —complement each other as one institution.

However, it must be known that fighting terror is a shared responsibility. Like President Uhuru Kenyatta said, all of us are responsible for securing our homeland. It starts with you and me.

To overcome insecurity for the long term, therefore, there is urgent need for an overhaul of the country’s entire security system to ensure we don’t keep repeating same mistakes over and over again.

A complete surgery in our internal security apparatus is ultimately necessary even as we usher in a new regime of leadership.

The National Police Service as it is today will struggle to sustain a prolonged battle against guerrilla tactics such as those of Al-Shabaab.

The mistakes that have been made on matters security; on protecting our nation from another terrorist attack; are mistakes of omission. This must not be repeated moving forward.

With the new security laws, the President has powers to change the entire sector by making new appointments. We hope to see such changes soon.

Most importantly, appointments of individuals to sensitive positions must not be based on some sort of ‘tokenism’ criteria but on merit and proven experience.

Solving homeland security problems is a collective responsibility that not only calls for a sober leadership but also combined efforts from all Kenyans.

The systems applied in the National Police Service, its known affinity for corruption, ethnicity that has eroded the values of patriotism in the force, and bad leadership choices, leave the entire nation vulnerable to internal attacks on civilians.

It is no secret that the police service needs widely instituted reforms. The primary objectives of the National Police Service Commission were to begin these reforms and constitute a better, more efficient service.

Training programmes for our police force must be improved to meet the changing times in terms of technology.

The police service can borrow some aspects of training from the military or expertise from experienced countries—like Israel for instance.

Consequently, motivation for our servicemen and women must follow suit. We have seen promotions based on tribal affiliations and corrupt practices. The ‘Toa Kitu Kidogo’ slogan has destroyed the much-needed professionalism needed in our police force.

Unless this is brought to an end, officers will continue to take bribes even at border points because of lack of motivation. A proper structure of promotions, fully supported by set guidelines, must be put in place because if we are not careful, there will be fewer people keen on joining the police force.

Al-Shabaab are well aware of our weaknesses: a corrupt, poorly resourced, poorly paid and inefficient National Police Service as well as our national weakness for tribal sentiments, graphic economic and social inequalities and an elitist attitude towards policy and politics.

It is our weaknesses that assist our enemies to overcome us, and it is for these reasons that a total overhaul of our weakest point, the security apparatus, is absolutely necessary in the immediate term.

Let the new security bosses rise to the occasion and take up the task of protecting our homeland.