After the past attacks in Mpeketoni, Witu and other places at the coast and around the country, it may have been expected that our security organs would spare no effort in apprehending the suspects. Indeed as they are quick to quip, "left no stone unturned".
Saturday attacks in Lamu are a definite proof that such proclamations are merely empty populist rhetoric.
After a past attack, the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Ole Lenku, made his appearance, eyes fiery and blazing. I almost imagined he was going to inform us that the attackers had been caught holed up on some forest clearing. Much to my disappointment, Lenku was only excited at finding fresh ammo in his sustained assault against the opposition. He accused the opposition of planning and executing the attacks. Additionally, he warned that they had crossed some red line or something (I can't quite remember what it is they had crossed).
Lenku's utterances could have been easily dismissed as political brouhaha until the president delivered his public address on national television. President Kenyatta essentially declared the Al shabaab terrorists innocent. He instead, all but squarely blamed the opposition for the failure of his government to protect Lamu residents. He acknowledged that they had intelligence information, but did not move to avert the impeding attacks and alleged that the attackers targeted a specific community. We now know this is a lie because we've seen the list of victims. The presidential figure, who is supposed to be a figure of national unity, turned around on this essential responsibility instead issuing divisive remarks.
The effects of the president's utterances were felt when misled individuals and political operatives took his proclamations for gospel truth and started circulating hate leaflets in various parts of the country.
Some Jubilee politicians, taking the cue from the president, went a notch higher and hired distraught but otherwise productive youth to hold ethnic demonstrations in the city. I still don't understand why the youth let politicians use them despite all they have witnessed, in addition to the government failing on delivery on promises to the youth.
Ethnic political activities have only left Kenya more divided and vulnerable to insecurity.
However, the president's accusations blew in his face when Al shabaab hailed and claimed the attacks through their Somalia based radio station.
Despite touting that they would investigate the sudden rise in cases of insecurity, we are still in the dark over what happened in Mpeketoni. Just as the government has kept us in the dark over the Westgate massacre. Kenyans forget, accept and move on.
The government is more concerned with quashing the opposition than securing the country. This became apparent when it was reported that 15,000 security officers had been deployed to secure, or protect or whatever they'll be doing to Saba Saba rallies. Meanwhile, over 20 citizens in Lamu county were slaughtered, with no one to protect them. Definitely a case of, "Mlala hoi hana haki" as one reader tells me.
Politicizing insecurity by Jubilee operatives to the extent of sacking officers of the army, remains a slippery slope for our nation. One that we shouldn't allow ourselves to be sucked into, and especially the youth.
The lackluster handling of incidences of security lapses has left room for lots of speculation.
One such narrative explains that the government could be intentionally letting the attackers slip through their fingers so as to create a false state of insecurity. This could give them sufficient excuse to clamp down on opposition rallies, perhaps arrest opposition leaders, declare a state of emergency and whatever else they have up their sleeves.
The attacks may also be a ploy to distract Kenyans, and the international community from the cases facing the president at the Hague based International Criminal Court. Note the timing! Such speculations may not be as far-fetched as they may appear. We witnessed the Westgate attack just as Ruto's case was being mentioned. We saw attacks in Gikomba as the government siphoned away taxpayers money to Anglo leasing deals. The attacks have always distracted us and the script might be the same.
In does not matter whether the attacks are political, ethnic or Al shabaab related. The government must stop imagining threats and secure Kenya from REAL threats.
The government must desist from perpetual politicking and deliver on their mandate. So far, they are leading Kenya into a crisis.
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