STATE OF INSECURITY AND PRESIDENTIAL GOOF

The Presidential statement that Kenyans should take responsibility for their security is just another pointer that Kenya needs a more focused leadership that understands the theory of the origin of state. It is the responsibility of state to provide security for its citizens as theorized by Thomas Hobbes in his state of nature. In his submissions, life in a stateless society is “solitary, nasty, brutish and short.” Man established a leviathan to whom he surrendered his power in return for security. Following the spate of insecurity across the country from both terrorists and ordinary criminals, the president, who is the sole commander-in-chief accused Kenyans of being irresponsible in their own security. He absolved the state from any blame of insecurity by asking Kenyans to ensure they are safe. The interpretation of the presidential remark is that the state has failed in its role of protecting its citizenry as theorized by Thomas Hobbes and other social contractarians. Kenya is therefore getting into the league of failed states. The security situation is dilapidated to the extent that even a presidential escort vehicle was stolen and later traced in the neighboring country of Uganda. The deaths of politicians (or assassinations) is also raising serious security concerns. Two years after general elections, the country has lost two opposition-leasing senators in unexplained circumstances. The passing on of Senator Mutula Kilonzo under mysterious circumstances has not yet been explained. Senator Otieno Kajwang also passed on. Autopsy reports indicated that the latter’s six ribs were broken from a man who was in the Senate a few hours before meeting his death. Terror-relating insecurity has also affected the country. Months after the Jubilee Government was sworn into office, the worst terror attack of the millennium hit the country at Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi killing more than 60 Kenyans. A number of several other attacks have rocked the nation without a comprehensive report besides the political lashing and blame games by the government. Ultimately the security lapses in the country are blamed on the President. The buck stops with the Commander-in-Chief. I agree with the president that security should involve the citizens. The insecurity elements reside within the citizenry, and some are well known. However, it is also known that some security officers collude with criminals in their heinous activities. This has compromised the openness of the citizens in revealing suspects as the practice endangers their own security. There is need for behaviour change on the side of the security agents. The police service ought to be responsive to insecurity cases, put on a human face and act diligently on criminal intelligence from the public. A refresher course is in order for the security agents, while dismissing from the service those whose allegiance is not within the service charter. However, by the President asking Kenyans to take care of their own security, he admits publicly that he has failed to curb the menace. It is a way of passing the blame on Kenyans for his stately failures on security. Kenyans are paying their taxes religiously, monies that fund the security agencies, including the criminal investigation and national intelligence departments. The Inspector General of Police and the Director of National Intelligence Service must be put to task to explain the lapses. The President was elected to ensure the security of all Kenyans courtesy of the huge taxes levied on them. When it becomes evident as it has, that all the President and his cabinet secretary are doing is to issue unmet ultimatums to the criminals, the citizenry is in order to issue an ultimatum to the President. Mr Kenyatta should either shape up or ship out. Enough with political rhetoric, theatrics and public relations by his digital officers. The opposition Coalition for Reform and Democracy on its part need to come up with an alternative security strategy instead of engaging in endless blame games. Should Kenyans replace Mr Kenyatta as the President, there is no sufficient proof that CORD would be better. The political party in power ought to implement its political manifesto as a document under which the party was propelled to power. It was theoretically the manifesto that was approved on the ballot, and so the manifesto should be implemented as crafted. Opposition parties on their part ought to establish an alternative government. With the shadow ministers and their commanding numbers in parliament, CORD ought to come up with a party position on socio-political and economic challenges, not just for criticism of government, but for support where warranted. The admission by the president merits two arguments: One, that Kenya is going back to the state of nature where everybody is for themselves. In this state, life is nasty, short and brutish. It is a man-eat-man society where might is right. This is an unfortunate state in the 21st Century, signalling the failure of constitutionalism. Secondly, the admissions was a salute to the power of criminal gangs. Having known that they have outsmarted the state despite the latter’s legal and operational authority, these criminal groups will multiply in numbers by recruiting more members in their ranks. The third point is that the police service is rendered ineffective in its constitutional responsibility. Thus the President’s admission absolves the police inspectorate and the entire security mechanism of any responsibility. The US Secretary of Defence resigned because he felt incapable of handling the ever-growing threats to the United States. With the increasing national insecurity, the President ought to consider a reshuffle and have a more competent person as Cabinet Secretary. In conclusion, the Presidents is expected to provide a father-figure and unifying force for Kenyans. He has to assure Kenyans of the safety through the constitutional mechanisms. The opposition parties and civil society groups need to suggest alternatives and enhance awareness among Kenyans on the state of security in the country. Should the insecurity continue, then Kenyans may resort to removal of the incumbent through any constitutional means which include mass action.