Rule of law sure bet to taming terrorism

After a two-year lull, the Al Shabaab has managed to hit Nairobi hard again. Tuesday’s attack on the DusitD2 hotel and office complex offers another opportunity to know our real friends. It also forces us to relook our counter terrorism capability as a nation if we are to be safe in future. The 3pm attack on January 15 indiscriminately struck State agencies, digital development start-ups, public relations and multi-national companies. By the time the dust settled a day later, at least 21 people were dead, scores injured, 700 evacuated and several explosive devices safely exploded.

It is often forgotten that Al Shabaab’s attacks on Kenya preceded the 2011 Cabinet decision to roll out Operation Linda Nchi in Somalia. A series of cross-border attacks on Kenyan soil brought fundamentalism and violence to Kenya’s doorstep. It is also true that since we have intervened to prevent lawlessness and human rights violations and support the establishment of a civilian-elected government in Somalia, the attacks increased. For most, Tuesday’s attack brings back nightmarish memories of the Westgate Mall (2013), Mpeketoni, Lamu (2014) and Garissa University College (2015) attacks among others.