Tackle serious security lapses emerging in Coast

By Njuguna Mutonya

Two weeks ago, I was booked on the 5.30am flight, which meant that I had to be up before 4am to be on time for security clearance.

It was still dark as we sped along the Makupa Causeway in Mombasa and entered Changamwe heading to the airport.

I was shocked to realise the road block before the toll station manned by armed police was missing as cars sped into the unguarded airport.

In the convoy were four vehicles, a Probox taxi, a pick-up, a Prado, and one tour van.

I could not believe my eyes and I protested the lapse to the man in charge at the check in lobby who feigned surprise but no alarm.

My mind flew back to that fateful day in 2002 when terrorists drove a green Pajero into the Israeli-owned Kikambala hotel, which detonated at the reception killing Kenyans and Israelis.Do we never learn?

Kenyans have expressed unimaginable goodwill on the new Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo especially having entered office at a time when the confidence in the security organs was at an all time low.

Considering the struggles that have emanated within the organs that control policy formulation and operational commands at the national level, one cannot help but imagine that there are elements who have been orphaned from the anarchy of the old order which bred imposters like “Waiganjo” and could be fomenting sabotage.

A Mombasa candidate has thrown the gauntlet at the feet of the Coast police bosses by accusing them of being pocketed by some local tycoons and politicians whom they have failed to investigate or arrest despite reports of acts of commission against them.

Attacks in rallies

Some leaflets asking residents not to participate in the March 4 polls have surfaced in Mombasa, which is suspected to have been printed by some candidates who lost in the nominations and which the County Commissioner acknowledged on TV recently. Some candidates for county seats were attacked as they campaigned in Mombasa and no arrests have been reported yet.

It is the accumulation of such apparently mundane acts which if progressively unaddressed could lead to explosions with devastating consequences.

Residents of Mombasa have shown great resilience and awareness during campaigns where instead of using exclusivists are now lobbying for support from different groups who in exchange are demanding for assurances.

During a recent workshop organised by the Land Development and Governance Institute for grass roots organisations, members agreed that despite the polarising extremities of the national antagonists, the only solution to resolving the land issue in the Coast was the implementation of the National Land Commission.

Hate mongers are receiving short shrift  and the security organs need to reassure residents by cracking on the few errant incorrigibles who have yet to come to terms with the realities of the new Constitution.

Mombasa people do not want to return to the cowboy days when drug lords would impose curfews or detain opponents and even policemen in their houses because the police bosses had been obscenely compromised.