Synopsis
Going by the recent insecurity cases witnessed in the country, there is little doubt if any that our borders are somehow porous and this makes Kenya a vulnerable prey for terrorists.
The death of the Chief Terrorist, Osama Bin Laden came as a sigh of relief to many people across the world. This man gave many governments across the world sleepless nights more so U.S.A. Here in Kenya, his operations robbed us life, destruction of infrastructure, and physical disability of some people. He is most remembered for the vicious attacks on U.S Embassy in Kenya 1998 and the Kikambala hotel in Mombasa. Victims, friends and relatives who were affected by his terror attacks were baying for his blood. Fortunately, the US Forces placed a bullet on his head before he could continue with his cause.
How did Osama and his comrades come to Kenya, launch an attack then disappear without trace? Recently, Kenyans living along the Kenya-Ethiopia border witnessed one of the deadliest attack staged by an Ethiopian militia. Sadly, some were not able to see the light of the day to at least tell the tale. This took place in Turkana, Northwest of Kenya. Every time Turkana features in the news headlines, it usually has a negative connotation ranging from hunger to fatal cattle rustling. In the latest attack, 40 are feared to be dead but up to now 25 have been confirmed to be deceased while the rest are still missing. This incident is not distant from a massacre going by the number of innocent lives that have been lost and the means by which by which they were murdered. Now, the big question is, how did the militia come, kill the 25 individuals and leave without being noticed by the security forces? In another incident the Al-shabab militia raided Mandera, North East of Kenya a long Kenya-Somali border and abducted a government officer and two missionary nuns. The above incidents and others like grenade attacks in Uhuru Park Nairobi last year, numerous narcotic consignments being impounded far away from the border, and firearms impounded in Narok town near Kenya-Tanzania border are a clear indication of porous borders that makes Kenya an easy target for terrorists. Is there security lapse a long the borders? And are we safe?
Insecurity has gigantic negative implications on both the country’s political and economical fronts. Tourism industry will be the first casualty. It is the leading foreign exchange earner courtesy of approximately 2 million tourists who visit Kenya annually. Insecurity will lead to decline in number of tourists visiting the country and this means loss of income. Secondly, foreign investors will be hesitant to invest here and even those who currently operating in the country may opt to wind up their business ventures fearing terrorist attacks. As result, jobs will be lost and the revenue to the government will be no more. Insecurity in a nut shell will indeed derail economic growth and progress of the country.
In a bid to make the country and the citizens secure, the government should reinforce the security at key entry points and also use latest technology in detecting firearms, illegal immigrants and narcotics. As much as we celebrate Osama’s death, we are not out of the woods yet. The government should be more vigilant than ever before since his loyalists can plot a retaliation attack. May God the Almighty rest the souls in peace of those who died in terror attacks and most recently the Todiyang Massacre. Amen.
