Eternal neighbourhood vigilance is the price of security

By Ngari Gituku

The first time many Kenyans of 45 years and above first heard of the Nyumba Kumi (Ten Households Cluster) concept, it came as negative news. They promptly associated it with neighbouring Tanzania’s  ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi days of exerting the Ujamaa (Socialism) ideology. At that time there was a sniping cross-border propaganda campaign between the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments, conducted mostly over radio and newspapers. Tanzania called Kenya a “man-eat-man” society and Kenya called her neighbour a “man-eat-nothing” place. Clearly, edification was not on the agenda.