Terror war: We are in it together

Some have described the rising cases of insecurity in the country and specifically the massacre of 147 students in Garissa as evidence of dismal performance by the Jubilee government.

Critics and the Opposition continue to lay blame on President Uhuru Kenyatta's government "for failing to secure the country since he took office".

Specifically, a senator I respect so much and who writes a column for this paper recently wrote, "There is little doubt that the Jubilee government has failed in the war against terror, and on security generally.

"There is no need to sugar-coat the dismal performance of the Uhuru regime in safeguarding Kenyans' lives."

The senator goes ahead to compare the terror attacks to Mungiki attacks that claimed several lives, saying no political leader from the area was held politically culpable.

He compares the current wave of terror to the post-election violence where he says no one was charged for the killings of innocent Kenyans.

This is indeed a shocking statement especially coming from a respectable leader.

To start with, we cannot compare the post-election violence or the Mungiki sect to terrorism. Everyone knows the former Internal Security Minister (now deceased) John Michuki for fighting the outlawed Mungiki sect.

We cannot either allow sympathisers of Al-Shabaab to go scot-free simply because we are trying to run away from the truth.

If indeed there are leaders from the North Eastern region or from anywhere in this country who are sympathisers of the terror group, then they must be brought to book. Lest we forget, no one is above the law.

Most importantly, terrorism is not just a Kenyan problem, but a global challenge that calls for concerted efforts to fight it.

President Kenyatta has constantly shown his commitment to fighting terror.

The Government might have failed in responding promptly to such attacks, but this is not to say nothing has been done.

Closer collaboration among the police, military officers, and the National Intelligence Service and immigration officers in the fight against terror is needed urgently.

The attacks we are facing are not just against Kenya, but also the region and the continent as a whole.

What do the terrorists want? Nothing, but to fulfil a pervasive mind that has given in to brainwashing.

Terror is not just the killing; it is also that overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety.

No society functions when the people who make it up are gripped in wanton dread of the unknown.

These events and the way evil is engulfing our societies call for everyone's efforts, including of the common man, towards fighting terror.

It should no longer be about Kenya; if anything, the East African Community (EAC) should urgently come up with drastic measures on how to jointly counter terrorism in the region.

Kenyans must keep hope alive in these trying times.

Evil is besieging the world but evil is like wind – it does not last long, however devastating its impact can be.

All it takes to repulse it is goodwill of human beings. It is time to put up that good fight. Terrorists can be lurking anywhere. Vigilance is the keyword in this fight.

Terrorism can never be accepted. We must fight it together, with methods that do not compromise our respect for the rule of law and human rights, or are used as an excuse for others to do so.