For the better past of the recent past my fingers and phone keyboard have been busy writing messages of condolences on the social platform, RIP to this, RIP to that, It is heartfelt regret that I pass this message… etc. Am tired now, am tired of switching to an entertainment channel just to avoid the news, to avoid the sightings of bloodshed and sad headlines.
In 2011, Al-Shabaab wanted to negotiate with Kenya but they were shunned away by the government because ‘Kenya doesn’t negotiate with outlawed groups’ and what has this caused us? How many innocent lives have been taken away since the country’s refusal to negotiate with terrorists?
Former US President George W. Bush once said that:
“You’ve got to be strong, not weak. The only way to deal with these people (terrorists) is to bring them to justice. You can’t talk to them. You can’t negotiate with them.”
But damn right he knew what he was saying. He knew his army was skilled and had plans and strategies to counter his enemies’ tactics before going after them. Did Kenya have this? Did we even thought of beefing up security before we haphazardly forced our way into Somalia without any clear plans, strategies and consequences of our actions?
- Westgate Mall Attack 21st September 2013 67 lives
- Mpeketoni Attack 15th June 2014 48 lives
- Coast Tourist Island 24th June 2014 11 lives
- Lamu Attack 5th July 2014 29 lives
- Lamu Bus Attack 19th July 2014 9 lives
- Mandera Bus Attack 22nd Nov 2014 28 lives
- Mandera Quarry Attack 2nd Dec 2014 36 lives
- Garissa University 2nd April 2015 147 lives
These are some of the non-muslim lives taken away by the militia. Should we all convert to muslims so that our lives are not at risk? Aden Duale had brought up the idea of negotiating with the militia and was seen as an enemy. He was ridiculed all over the country for thinking of something like that.
Our leaders live in the most protected areas and do not know the pain of losing that relative, they don’t know the pain of living in worry of even going to that supermarket, that fancy restaurant etc. We penetrate into the militants’ land but leave ourselves unprotected. Should Kenya do the ‘cowardly’ move that the greatest nation in the world did in the Black Hawk Dawn? US backed off from Somalia in 1993 for the safety of their own nation? Should Kenya do the same for the sake of the lives of our own people?