Tana River massacre: Where was the government?

By Jacktone S. Ambuka

The lackluster approach with which the Government continues to address insecurity in the Tana River County has left many Kenyans perplexed and wondering whether our Government has the ability to protect the citizens of our beloved country of Kenya.

The current impunity with which illegal, yet well-armed, militia unleashed terror and brutality on innocent Kenyans in Tana River, could lead us to conclude that our Government is either unwilling or unable to protect all her citizens from internal threats. The lawlessness is conspicuous. Law breakers seem to be outpacing and outmaneuvering police.

Within one month, about 100 innocent citizens including children and women have been mercilessly butchered by what appears to be a well-choreographed plan. This plan was executed under the noses of our police and intelligent community. Hundreds have been displaced and turned into refugees in their own country.

These repeat occurrences warrant the question: Where is the police commissioner Mr. Mathew Iteere and what exactly is he doing behind the scenes to protect Kenyans?

President Kibaki acknowledged that: “The killings of innocent women, children, men and security officials are a heinous crime and the perpetrators must be punished accordingly.”

The president has further directed additional security forces and declared a “dawn to dusk curfew in clashes-hit Tana Delta district.” While it is a commendable gesture by the president, in my opinion, it is too little too late. Once again the Government was caught flat-footed.

Repeated failure

Sadly, Tana River massacre isn’t the first incident in which our Government failed her citizens. Four years ago, the underbelly of our security apparatus was turned upside down by the post-election violence that rocked the country and edged Kenya closer to the brink of annihilation. Post-election skirmishes claimed innocent lives of 1,133 Kenyans. Further, 650,00 others were displaced and tagged ‘internally displaced persons’ popularly known as IDPs.

 To date, most IDPs are still languishing in make shift camps disregarded by their own Government. This is a national shame.  In both incidences, the efficiency of both police chiefs the predecessor Mr. Ali and his successor Mr. Iteere have been tested and found wanting. As a matter of fact, the ICC compiled a case against Mr. Ali for sins of omission and commission over the post-election violence. The case has since been discontinued for lack of sufficient evidence.

Yet, the 2008 post-election violence seems not to have made an impact on our Government. Kenya has failed to learn lessons on rapid response, efficient data collection of intelligence information, and diffusing tribal animosity and conflict before it turns into a full-blown clash. Instead, our Government seems to have perfected a “firefighting approach” that responds to a disaster instead of responding to signs and symptoms that could potentially prevent a disaster. An old adage has it that: “prevention is better than cure.”  But our Government doesn’t prevent impending threats that could potentially pose grave danger to citizens.

The way our Government responds to threats to the security of the citizens is both puzzling and inexcusable. Instead of proactively responding to a hazardous situation by marshaling all national security apparatus at our disposal and collecting necessary intelligence information that could diffuse a volatile situation-the Government drags its feet hence deaths of innocent citizens.

The Government’s lackluster approach raises fundamental yet very disconcerting questions that leave our national security in quagmire: Does our Government really care about the security of all citizens irrespective of their social statuses? Why can’t the president who happens to be the commander in chief of all our armed forces command a swiftly action to end the ongoing massacre in Tana River?

Do we have a well-trained, effective and capable security apparatus that can protect the country from internal and external threats? Do we need to re-train our police on how to collect intelligence information, defuse impending tensions and respond to dangerous incidences? These are genuine questions that are in the minds of so many Kenyans following the Tana River massacre.

In the wider scheme of governance, we have two leaders in this Government-the president Mr. Kibaki and the Prime Minister Mr. Odinga. These two ‘principals’ must never allow Kenya to slide into anarchy. Rather, they should come forward and provide effective leadership not only on how to end Tana River massacre but protect all citizens especially as we approach general election year-a year that more often than not is characterized by violence.  

All things considered, our security apparatus must be prepared, trained and able to collect intelligence information and protect all citizens against impending threats. In the event that Kenyan citizens are threatened by an enemy all our security apparatus must be unleashed.

The armed police force, Kenya police service, the General service unit (GSU), the Administration police (AP), The National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), fighter jets, military trucks and helicopters exists not to be on displayed but to protect the livelihood of all Kenyans irrespective of their social statuses.  With all the security apparatus we have, Tana River massacre is shameful and inexcusable.

By Jacktone S. Ambuka, a resident of Pennsylvania USA working for Strawberry fields Inc.-anon-profit organization that cares for people with developmental disabilities.