Uhuru Kenyatta, Ole Lenku, Are We Safe ?- Governor Joel Evans (GJE)

The security of any state serves as the heartbeat and pace-setter of its economic prowess. Going by what is being witnessed in Kenya today, are events that can only be annexed to the “Wars against Terrorism in Middle-East.” Our country is no longer an Eldorado, no longer an oasis of peace in a desert of hostilities. At this rate on which horrendous terror attacks are unfolding, we the citizens of our beloved country are drinking from the cup of affliction and eating from the bread of sorrow.

Your Excellency, Kenya has become so insecure that even thinking about security itself is unsafe. Personally, even as I put this down, I feel so frightened so much that I don’t know whether I will sleep tonight, and even as I sleep, am not certain whether I will wake up the next day. It is that scary! Post-Westgate Kenya is an era in Kenya’s arc of history that marks the on-start of terrorist retaliations and use of the Kenyan soil for trial and error explosion of grenades and shooting of bullets. Since the Westgate Terror attack, security-wise, it has never been business as usual to the Kenyan citizens.

Yes, insecurity anywhere is a threat to security everywhere. Did we as a state, do any harm when we invaded Somalia all in a bid to dismantle Al-shabaab? Was our intervention with utmost good faith or did we just abuse other people’s state sovereignty?? Is it now pay-back time?? Where did we go wrong? It has come to my attention that Sundays, in our country of double-speak and inverted priorities, are no longer “holy days.” Black Sundays are rampant. It was on a Sunday, that some members in a church back in Garissa were burnt by terror arsonists and some shot to death.

That was some time back. Recently, in Likoni- Mombasa, on a Sunday, inside a church, a not-so friendly bullet manoueuvred it’s way to baby Osinya’s mother, pierced her head and exited from the other end. Still possessing the kinetic energy, the bullet lodged into baby Osinya’s head. As we talk, Your Excellency, and Hon Ole Lenku, the bullet is still comfortably seated in between the grey and white matter of Osinya’s brains. Osinya’s case is just one among many cases that perhaps, go un-publicized. Again, grenade explosions in Eastleigh-Nairobi have now become a norm. They have turned into social events where people gather to discuss the value of property damaged and lives lost.

This is such a serious issue your Excellency. Did terrorists take control of our security apparatus? Did we loose our territorial integrity? Or have criminals from within, up-leveled their game? Are Kenyans really safe? Are we? Ole Lenku, what Kenyans need is more than mere speeches. Stop telling us that the smoke coming out from the building is as a result of mattresses put on fire (reminiscing West-gate terror attack). Tell us the truth. Kenyans are desperate.

We need to see actions materializing on the ground too. Not just cheap talks. Not just empty PR! It’s the high moment your ministry walks the talk! In as much as internal security is a collective responsibility, tax-payers are paying you millions of shillings annually to perform. So you have no alternative other than to perform. You must perform! As you walk guarded by body-guards, Kenyans are walking guarded by fear. Are Kenyans really safe???

Meanwhile, thanks to the jubilee government, matatus have stricken. Kenyans will have to walk. At least we can now conclude that “Kenya is a walking nation.” Until then, be safe, won’t you?