Wave of police attacks calls for more vigilance

 

Insurgents appear to be finding their way back into the country. In the latest attacks, their target appears to be police stations.

According to a statement by Inspector General (IG) of Police Joseph Boinnet, a terror suspect who had been arrested and detained at the Kapenguria Police Station in West Pokot County on Tuesday is said to have grabbed a gun from one of the officers at the station and shot and killed several policemen at the station.

Preliminary accounts indicate that at least six police officers have died in the hostage situation at the Kapenguria police station even as everything possible is being done to contain the situation.

Earlier last week, it was suspected that the more than 100 people who attacked Diff police station in Wajir, making off with some guns, bullets and police uniforms, were Al –Shabaab terrorists. A similar attack had occurred at the Diff police station in April.

The IG has also confirmed that Mangai Rapid Deployment Unit Camp in Lamu East also came under a terrorist attack on Tuesday.

This raises questions about the state of our preparedness to tackle renewed terrorist threats.

It is easy for the police to assure the public that security personnel are on full alert, but the reality on the ground tells a different story.

Laxity and negligence cannot therefore be ruled out.

The level of security alertness must be peaked especially in view of the recent attacks in Europe.

This year alone, attacks on the Istanbul Airport and in the city of Ankara, Turkey and the June 28, 2016 Brussels Airport attack have claimed 98 lives. Our borders must be secured.

No doubt, we are living in a time of war. And therefore no effort should be spared to ensure that all parts of the country are secure because no one knows where terrorists may strike next.