Enough of assurances, fix security crisis now

Yesterday, Kenyans distressed over the growing insecurity demonstrated on Harambee Avenue, the street on which the President's office is situated. With every atrocity committed against Kenyans by the Al-Shabaab terrorists, the wave of insecurity has been growing in intensity.

At times, it has looked like the security system has run out of ideas.

From Westgate to Mpeketoni, Eastleigh, Baragoi, Kapedo, Wajir and lately Mandera, Kenyans have been butchered mercilessly and all they have heard are hollow assurances from Government functionaries who appear not to feel the pain of loss; either of life or property. The Mandera incident has galvanised many across the political divide. It is hoped that this will rouse the authorities into action.

Citizen demonstrations like the Occupy Harambee Avenue have a way of amplifying the seriousness of the issues at hand.

For, every time a Kenyan loses life at the hands of terrorists, the Government's script has remained constant, with assurance that security has been beefed up and no Kenyan will be allowed to die and that the security forces are on top of things.

That must end and those charged with securing the country made to account for the lapses that have put Kenyans in harm's way.

There are those who have called for the sacking of the Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security Joseph Ole Lenku and the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo who seemingly are out of depth in their jobs.

Yet ultimately, the buck stops with the President. As Head of State, he has a duty to secure the citizens and their property.

Yet it is simplistic to think that were the President to sack the two security chiefs, we would suddenly have a secure country. While security chiefs must take responsibility for what appears as dereliction of duty, it will obviously take more to win against the terrorists.

And while there have been intentions to reform Kenya's discredited police force, these efforts have been let down by borders leaking illegal immigrants and an immigration apparatus that is all too easy to compromise.