Unbowed, we should make Kenya secure

We are united in mourning victims of the terror attack at the Dusit complex in Nairobi on Tuesday. May friends and families of the victims find strength during this difficult time. As a country, we will not be bowed by the violence of those who seek to further their political goals through murder of civilians. May this tragedy strengthen our unity and resolve to forge a peaceful political community based on the fundamental values of individual freedom and equality of our citizens – regardless of religion, gender, economic status, or ethnicity.

There is not much we can do about the tragedy that visited us on Tuesday afternoon. But there is a lot we can do about how we react to the tragedy. Understandably, there is anger and desire to exact revenge on those who harmed us. This is for both human and more strategic reasons. Striking Al Shabaab may be cathartic. It may also serve to give us a collective sense that we are not completely helpless in the face of their ideology of violence. On the strategic front, we need to demonstrate to Al Shabaab there is a price to be paid for killing Kenyans. Being a group committed to violence as a political tool, it is important that they understand and internalise the full might of Kenyan military force (together with that of our allies).