INSECURITY IN KENYAN CITIES, TOWNS AND THEIR SUBURBS.

 

Insecurity in Kenya has become such a huge threat considering the numerous attacks that have

occurred in the recent past. Operation Linda Nchi began in October 2011 following the

abduction of tourists in the country along the Kenyan coast. Recently, an abduction of three

foreigners, two Cuban doctors and an Italian lady is an indication that insecurity is far away from

being overcame it the country.

Ever since the Kenyan Defense Forces launching the war against the Al Shabaab, attacks rose

also in the other hand. The most recent attack was in the country's capital Nairobi at the Dusit D2

Hotel. There was also an attack that occurred in Westgate Mall in 2013 where many people lost

their lives. All these are a proof that the security institutions have to tighten the measures they

have adopted to fight the vice.

New research has shown that Kenya as a state, currently 9th in terms of purchasing power parity

(PPP) per capita in Africa will be generating the highest Gross National Product (GNP) by 2032.

This estimation by economic analysts has been done due to the fact that Kenya has adopted one

of the best economic prospective in the continent.

One of the major agendas of the government is geared towards industrialization. This is

endeavored at transforming the economy from middle-low level economy progressively to

middle high-level economy and in the next few decades the state will be in comparison with the

Asian tigers. However, all these milestone achievements bring about rural-urban migration

where the young and energetic people move in search of better ways of living. This has also

triggered rise of crime in the streets whilst efforts and measures put in place to combat this have

proven futile.

Crime rates have increased in these major urban areas because a section of these youth who

migrate to these areas are at times forced by circumstances to join gang groups. The youth have

been in a number of occasions been quoted saying that it is the lack of jobs that forces them to

join crime groups. Some section of the same has also claimed that peer influence also plays a key

role in what kind of people they associate with. If one is surrounded by a group clumped to crime,

the chances of one joining them are very high.

A number of the youth have also been forced to join the gangs because they live under extreme

influence of drugs. Smoking and sniffing of hard drugs has had an impediment to what the youth

do as far as building of the nation is concerned. Effects of drugs like hallucination forces them to

do some heinous crimes in order to get some cash such that they can purchase drugs and live

through such means.

It's something visible to urban residents who have met these gang groups whether at day time or

during the night. Scars from attacks they get inflicted during the ambush attacks speak a lot of

what they undergo through. Weapons used are crude and range from pocket knives to machetes

and axes. Hard cash at well as electronic gadgets and other stuff are also those most on target

from these groups. Life of the one attacked is always gambled and at stake if one offers

resistance and has little or nothing to offer.

Major urban areas like Nairobi have recorded the highest number of crime rates. A BBC

documentary touched on theft along Nairobi streets especially at night when the propensity of

crime attacks occur. The situation is the same in other areas like Eldoret, Nakuru, Thika and Juja.

Recently, a Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) student was

killed and his belongings got away by the suspected gang. The suspects arrested have offered

linkage of other crime groups notorious in Nairobi like Gaza, Superpower and 40 Brothers.

In Mombasa, most of the youth have been recruited to violent extremism as well as terrorism.

Most of the youth who are jobless and helpless have had to join the Al Shabaab, the terror group

based in neighboring Somalia. According to Al Jazeera, the death of Sheikh Sheriff Abubakar,

Alias Makaburi and Sheikh Aboud Rogo were connected to owing allegiance to Al Shabaab.

Aboud Rogo was alleged to support and fund the group. He was an extremist Muslim who

preached about the same. Before Makaburi was shot dead, he also supported the group and said

extremists are the actual Muslims.

Whenever the government has had to come in, some innocent Kenyans were tortured. Al Jazeera

featured a documentary of 'Not Yet Kenyan' where Muslim men were mistreated by the police

while in search of terror suspects. Others innocent Kenyans have been arrested, tortured and

some killed without eventual justice being granted to their families. The police have been

accused of using brutal force while in the hunt if theses gangs.

Crime rate can only be curbed by use of strategic means which should be used by the institutions

that monopolize violence. The government should formulate a policy framework on how best to

use the National Police Service and the National Intelligence Service. There is need for the same

to encompass the very citizens they ought to protect in their new policies as they formulate them

which will ensure ease of implementation as much effort will be put towards putting into an end

crimes in the Kenyan urban areas.

About the author.

Kilonzo J. Mutie is an attaché at the County government of Uasin Gishu at the department of devolution, administration and public service management (communications and public relations). He also serves as the Secretary General of Maseno University Political Students' Association (MUPOSSA).

For inquiries, email:

kilonzomutie41@yahoo.com