The Kenya government explanation on extremism not excusable

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE </xml><xml> </xml> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> On 23^rd October 2016, people suspected to be Al-Shabaab killed Kenyans in cold-blood. At least 12 people were murdered. As a result, their dependents have been left hopeless, as these gallant Kenyans were largely the bread winners.

No one can tell whether the killers are Kenyan-born but of Somali immigrant origin, seemingly, have been radicalized or brainwashed into extreme fanaticism.

Many of these killers are acquainted with their surroundings; hence do not just start from nowhere. Firstly, before being assassins, they attend extreme mosques, and listen to the extremist preachers.

For far too long, the government has been lethargic on matters terrorism in North Eastern part of Kenya. The much hyped wall should act as a buffer zone between extremist wanting to cross easily to Kenya. But how effective the wall is, is a matter of conjecture.

The wall, would essentially institute a measure of control on intruders. Our common border with Somali seems porous, hence allows rogue and radicalized youths armed with small arms or sophisticated weapons to cross over to Kenya so as to commit the heinous acts such as the one  that occurred in Mandera of late and many others before.

It should be the responsibility of the government to fulfill the following functions:-

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Pay or remunerate officers manning borders 24/7 well to avoid being compromised by intruders on a mission to kill innocent Kenyans.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->To equip officers manning borders with new weapons able to fight with intruders.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->The Kenyan government should provide the officers with modern highly technological and advanced weaponry that would help in scouring the luggage of those crossing over the boarders.

The government’s explanation is a crutch, and a crutch is a sign of weakness and not a sign of strength. The explanation on extremism that the natives could be working in cahoots with the intruders is not excusable. It should not be business as usual, of sending condolences, helping the bereaved to meet funeral expenses and condemning the perpetrators without a long term solution to the deaths of innocent Kenyan lives. The government should do more.

The peace that at times is experienced in North Eastern lulls us into false sense of security. We tend to relax and give intruders an opportunity to attack us.

In concluding, may the national intelligence and military intelligence units collaborate in sourcing out intelligence information? If the locals are playing hide and seek with Al-Shabaab let the two intelligence departments find out why attacks are intermittent, political, or Al-Shabaab linked, then find a way to nip it in the bud.