Dear Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta , I vividly remember on 9th April,
2013, (during your inauguration and in your speech), you said this and I quote
“Criminals, cattle rustlers, drug barons and agents of terror who disrupt the
peace of our society will be met with the full force of the law and the
strength of Kenya’s Security Forces. On this matter, we are resolute to our men
and women in uniform, I say, this nation is indebted to you. You continue to
lay down your lives in service, protecting Kenyans from threats both external
and internal. My government will continue to work with you and do all that is
in its power to support you as you continue in your noble duty (the speech goes
on)…”
The question I beg to ask is what happened?
The ongoing state of insecurity in the country is becoming
untenable and pervasive.
The government is losing its grip on Insecurity in northern
Kenya. The recent Massacres that has hit Mandera highlights precisely the type
of political and social fault lines within our security system and calls for
the overhaul of security leadership as well as structures. Yet, despite these
worrying trends, the Kenyan government and its partners are still fixated
largely on #Selfies, #speeches #HashTags and the cases against President Uhuru
Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto. This risks overlooking the
potential for the prevailing insecurity to lead to state fragility. In a
nutshell, we are alarmed at the recent levels of runaway insecurity experienced
in the country. There is security alarm as gangsters, muggers have take over
Nairobi city. From daylight shootouts to frequent muggings, the city centre is
fast degenerating into a gangster’s den. Vulture-eyed pickpockets and muggers
targeting pedestrians roam every city corner while smash-and-grab attacks
targeting motorists are equally on the rise. A puzzle to most victims is that
the criminals, who range from seemingly experienced thieves to impulsive
vandals, operate with a high degree of impunity.
Kenyans voted for a new constitutional dispensation in
August 2010, which we did; yes with so much anticipation that we were bestowing
unto ourselves, a new governance indenture moored on a well-founded and firm
footing that would ensure that as Kenyans we are in a position, and to the
chock-full level conceivable, enjoy all the Socio-economic and political rights
entrenched in the constitution. Looking at our Constitution, this one is not
debatable. Clearly, it guarantees
Kenyans of their security. Article 29 of the Constitution says, and I quote
that: “Every person has the right to freedom and security of the person, which
includes the right not to be: c) subjected to any form of violence form either
public or private sources”. Correspondingly, Article 26 of the same
Constitution is sparkling clear that “Every person has the right to life”.
Looking at this, the Constitution thus provides a structure of the key
establishments and players who have been endowed the constitutional fiat of
guaranteeing that we are all safe and secure. No doubt about that, Chapter
fourteen of our constitution clearly spells this out.
And on this juncture, I call upon you; yes you Mr. President
Kenyatta and your Deputy, Hon. William Rutto, I.G Kimaiyo and the so many
Senior Security officials in your government to assure Kenyans of their
security as per what is entrenched in the Constitution. In lieu of what you
pledged to the Nation during your inauguration speech.
CC
William Samoei Ruto Inspector General of Police,
KenyaJoseph Ole Lenku
