Be decisive to win against terrorism

Letters

Be decisive to win against terrorism

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Our security is under threat, thanks to the string of attacks by the Somali Al Shabaab militants. People are being killed here and there, and now nowhere is safe – not even the places of worship.

Our Government and security agents must not take this issue with the seriousness it deserves. We have been pointing fingers for while but now the buck must stop somewhere. Now is the wrong time to blame this or that department for ‘sleeping on the job’. We need concerted effort to deal with these criminals.

{Fidelis Kavinya, Thika}

 

What else are we expecting to see to understand we are not secure? People have died, others badly injured and property destroyed. No doubt, so far, terrorists have pronounced their presence in our land and we must rise to the occasion and act. We can no longer sit and watch these criminals strike.

Our leaders have talked too much on our security and must now walk the talk. But this matter cannot be left to the police and Government alone. It is a collective task for Kenyans.

It is time patriotic citizens rose to be counted. Granted, the enemy is within us: They are our brothers, sisters, husbands, friends or relatives who have given themselves to be used to destroy our peaceful nation. We don’t have to hide them anymore. Our security begins with us.

{David Mwaura, Maseno}

 

It is sad the terrorists have changed tactics and now want to create feud between Muslims and Christians as they resort to attacking churches. This is unacceptable and the Government should crack the whip and thwart any future possible attacks. We cannot wait to see Kenya reach the extent that Boko Haram in Nigeria has.

However, the terrorists must be made to understand their acts of cowardice – to attack defenceless faithful in churches – won’t change our defence forces’ resolve to capture Kismayu and ensure peace in lawless Somalia.

As at now, all we need is tighter security at our borders and every citizen should not hesitate to report any suspicious character to the police for swift action.

Meanwhile, our prayers are with our soldiers who are close to achieving victory by capturing the last Al Shabaab stronghold, the port of Kismayu.

{Samwel Born Maina, Nairobi}

 

This is the wrong time for politicians or any other Kenyans to start calling for withdrawal of Kenya Defence Forces from Somalia.

Though the string of attacks we are facing could be viewed as revenge mission by the Somali insurgents, and that it’s clear no one is safe, there is no way KDF can be withdrawn from Somalia until the militia is completely crippled and peace ensured in the war-torn country.

{Zippy Mueni, Maseno}

The Anti-Terror Bill, which is yet to be debated in Parliament, should be enacted hastily because a lot of uncertainty still surrounds the fate of terror suspects under custody. This will greatly boost the fight against terrorism in Kenya.

{Christopher Acwenda, Nairobi}

 

The recent spate of terrorists attacks raise a number of questions. Who is the real target in these acts? What message are the terrorists passing? And most importantly, what should we do to control the situation?

Terrorism has two main objectives: to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, and secondly, to affect the conduct of the government or influence its policy by intimidation or coercion. The primary targets are not those killed or injured, but those who witness the acts.

Therefore, the Government must get it right, work on its security apparatus and adopt preventive rather than knee-jerk strategies.

{Patrick Mutua, Makueni}

 

Tinting of vehicle windows fuel insecurity

It is quite painful watching how lives are being lost and injuries inflicted on innocent lives by cowards who have employed terrorist tactics to achieve short-lived and selfish interests.

The criminals use all manner of disguise to conceal identity from the country’s security apparatus. This coupled with poor infrastructure has made the work of security organs difficult and if the current trend is anything to go by, then new attacks could be looming.

It is, therefore, the responsibility of all peace-loving citizens to co-operate with the security organs in ensuring the country is safe. Even though it is demeaning, many have co-operated by allowing themselves to be frisked while entering social places. We must move further and deny ourselves the privilege of driving tinted vehicles so that all occupants and cargo are not concealed.

This will simplify the work of the security organs and will facilitate involvement of the public in facilitating security through identification.

Different reasons have been fronted for use of vehicles with tinted windows. Some cite privacy while to others it discourages car break-ins especially at night. This is because thieves won’t break in to steal what they can’t see. To others, it discourages car-jackers who prefer vehicles with single occupants. In this case, if the vehicle is tinted, they cannot tell whether an armed flying squad officer is concealed in the back-seat.

It is the same concealment that terrorists prefer and some tints are so dark that even a closer peep reveals nothing. However, those inside are always able to see clearly what is outside regardless of the intensity of the tint. Terrorists are, therefore, able to move around with already assembled explosives shopping for a place with security loopholes to launch their attacks. It should not be forgotten that several such attacks have involved the use of car bombs.

Consequently, only security officers who may need to disguise their presence in an operation should be allowed to move in tinted vehicles. The rest should remove all tints on their automobiles.

{Silas Nyambok, Athi River}

 

Writer’s article on gays misses basics

Joseph Mutua’s contention that those opposing same sex marriages are driven by emotions and anger (The Standard on Sunday, July 1) is not based on facts and fails to consider the well documented testimony of antiquity.

Objections raised against gays by Christians are neither emotional nor expressions of anger. When God’s anger was kindled against Sodom and Gomorrah due to inordinate behaviour, there is no justification in viewing God as having been driven by emotions.

On matters of religion, human behaviourism is based on unchangeable decrees received through revelation from unchanging God. Hence any idea of emotionalism should not arise when the faithful seek to enforce compliance.

Furthermore, for Mutua to appeal to African countries to drop hardline stance and embrace a more tolerant attitude toward gays, is, to say the least, an abuse to right of conscience. In principle, the law against homosexuality is ingrained in the conscience of Christians and any attempt to violate it is tantamount to infringement of their right of conscience, which the law guarantees.

{Charles Otuoma Ndege, Via Email}

Target ‘big fish’ to end exam cheats

The sacking of 46 teachers involved in 2011 exam malpractices in North Eastern is just one step towards eradicating the vice. The Government should take a stern action against the culprits.

When releasing the exam results, former Minister for Education Sam Ongeri hinted that some Knec officials, teachers, invigilators, parents, and candidates were involved in exam cheating.

To win the war on examination cheating, concerned authorities ought to take action against dishonest Knec officials who make it possible for the public to access exam materials illegally before exam periods.

{Okello Daniel, Eldoret}

‘Good girl’ not buried

I beg to disagree with The Standard’s Crazy Monday (July 2) on ‘The good girl gone and buried’.

Sincerely, she is not buried. Look at it in this way: Men enjoy hanging out with the ‘bad girls’, drinking, raving all night and doing all the ‘bad’ stuffs together. but when it comes to marrying, the same men will not marry the girls they are hanging out with. Instead they go hunting for the ‘good girls’ who are the right persons to take care of them (men) and their children.

So, good girls out there, don’t despair, you are on the right track.

{Alex Barasa, Kenyatta University}