It has been the public's expectation that the Government would take disciplinary action against security officers who slept on the in the wake of the Garissa University attack that claimed 148 lives early this month.
Last year, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) laid blame at the door-step of the Police Service in the Mpeketoni attacks that claimed at least 50 lives where it also emerged that police in the area had early knowledge of an impending attack but failed to act.
Since the Westgate Mall siege, close to 500 lives have been lost to attacks attributed to the Al Shabaab militants. And to assuage public anger over the attacks, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaiserry on Tuesday interdicted nine police officers in Garissa over what he termed as criminal negligence.
The regional coordinator, county commissioner, county AP commander, county police commander, the CID boss, the OCS, OCPD and the head of the Anti-Terrorist Police Unit were all sent packing. These officers constitute the county's security team.
Mr Nkaiserry's action is based on a preliminary report tabled by two teams he and the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett appointed to investigate the circumstances of the attack. Garissa County Governor Nathif Jama Adam had claimed after the attack that his officers had information on an impending attack and the same was passed to the County security team which failed to act on it.
Clearly, this is evidence of laxity because even after touring the institution two days prior to the attack, the university was not accorded adequate security to protect it against an attack.
The Cabinet Secretary's action is welcome in as much as it signals intent that the Government is finally taking security matters seriously by putting security chiefs on high alert.
It is curious and disappointing, though, that he should choose to defend the Police Air Wing Commander Rodgers Mbithi for letting his daughter in-law fly from Mombasa in a police plane whatever the circumstances.
Many agree that the outcome of the Garissa University attack would have been different had the Recce team arrived earlier, instead of travelling by road, only to arrive hours later. It should, however, be noted that interdictions and sackings by themselves will not address the security challenge facing the country. There have been numerous forced changes in the security docket that have not registered any difference because the policies have remained the same.
Changes in policies and command structures must be put in place to ensure a proper chain of command and sharing of information among security agencies in the country. Even though the interdicted officers work in the same county, they report to different authorities and this could occasion serious security lapses. Does the National Intelligence Service (NIS) share intelligence information with the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit?
In Garissa, there was initial confusion between the army and the Recce squad over who was in command of the situation. Though the Administration Police and the regular police all report to the IG, they have different commands that could easily hamper joint operations.
The reality of the security situation now calls for smart policing where the security machinery is equipped in robust intelligence-gathering methods. This method if well executed, will lead a significant reduction in attacks.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join