Dire need to harness security in the country.

The unspeakable damage that has been cause by the terrorist at Westgate Mall since Saturday cannot be quantified in terms of monetary terms and above all human injury and deaths. It is unfortunate the terrorists had their way in one of the place that is perceived to be very secure in the Kenya.

Kenya has borne similar attack albeit on smaller scale in the past and this is a clear indication that terrorism is a major threat in this country. The big question therefore is: does this country has capacity to deal with this ever increasing global threat?

Firstly, as we are well aware, the perpetrators of terrorism are still within the country. They have in one way or the other gained access in this country on assistance of a few people who are not patriotic or /and greedy. The terrorists don’t live in isolation but rather are accommodated by the likeminded Kenyans. Our security details need to get to the bottom of it and seal the gaping loopholes.

Secondly, it is a well known fact that some foreigners affiliated to terrorism have over the years acquired properties in prime areas and they use them to finance the operations of terrorists. This again poses a threat to the nation security. The intricate web of terror cannot work without financing. This is why it is important that the source of funding especially ones in the country should be severed with immediate effect.

Thirdly, it is important that the immigration need to do a thorough audit on the immigrants especially from those countries that are friendly to terrorists. These include those who come in the Kenya through borders and airports. Stiff displinary action against those who collude with the rogue security agencies to allow criminals in the country should be enforced.

Fourthly, the government should make drastic reforms to security organs so that only those officers committed to bringing about meaningful change in national security are employed. It is imperative to underline that only the right personnel can make the transformative change needed towards terror fight.

As the country piece together the broken pieces after the uncalled for attack, it is important to stress that there is nobody safe wherever he/she is if the security is not well enhanced .Our very own president lost his nephew in the Westgate Massacre and this should be a wakeup call that the threat is rife.

James Mwangi Kanyi

Nairobi

US was unfair to issue a travel advisory

For the umpteenth time, the US gave a travel advisory to its citizens who are interested in visiting Kenyan coast for holiday and other purposes, last week. This move has aroused a protest from the Kenyan Government and the hospitality industry.

The travel advisory is motivated by what the US considers lack of security. It is true that terrorists have caused untold suffering in Nairobi, Mombasa and other towns this year — including Sunday’s incident — but the Government has been fighting terrorism to its best and nobody should paint a contrary picture to the world about it.

If the Government wasn’t committed to fighting insecurity and terrorism, our defence forces won’t have been sent to Somalia, last year. They are still there and doing their best to wipe out terror group Al Shabaab. This is ostensibly to ensure Kenya and foreigners residing here are safe. Massive resources have been used for this noble assignment and, to me, it is a clear indication Kenya is serious about fighting terrorism within and without.

In this assignment, international community has been supporting Kenya to ensure Kenya and East Africa at large is a safe haven to live in as well as invest.

Other efforts have also been put in place to secure major towns and cities by deploying more security officers and state of art equipment to curb terrorism.

It is therefore worrisome that US — without engaging Kenya — issued a travel advisory. We all know terrorism is a global concern and no country — not even the US — is indispensable.
Therefore, the US should reverse the decision for the sake of our tourism business.
{James Mwangi Kanyi, Nairobi}

Measures that Government need to put in place to reign on terrorism.

Kenya is no doubt the target of terror groupsout to kill and maim innocent people and destroy property without any provocation.

This year alone, tens of lives have been lost in terror activities in Nairobi, Mombasa and other towns and it is for this reason that we need to put in place strict security measures to save lives and properties.

A bitter fact is that most cases of terror attacks in Kenya have involved Al Shabaab militiamen and Kenyan residents of Somali origin. Therefore, as a matter of urgency, security at the Kenya-Somalia border should be tightened. It is in public domain that cache of lethal weapons has reportedly gained access through this border. The fact that Kenya Defence Forces are still in Somalia, Al Shabaab will find ways of getting even with Kenyans by staging sporadic attacks. It is, therefore, important that more security details are deployed along the border to net terrorists masquerading as refugees.

Secondly, the proposal to install CCTV cameras in major streets in our cities and towns is long overdue. This would ensure all activities taking place in these places are recorded for security purposes. This would also restrain terrorists and other criminals.

Thirdly, the National Intelligence Service should be more vigilant. Their vigilance would ensure pro-active measures are taken to forestall insecurity incidents.

Fourthly, the Government should procure state-of-art equipment to detect dangerous weapons in all public places.

Lastly, the media should not be left out in the anti-crime war. It should be involved in civil education on the dos and don’ts in case of terror attacks.

These and many other security measures can go along way in making Kenya a safer place and rounding off the blood-thirst terrorists who are busy plotting how to spill more blood.

{James Mwangi Kanyi, Nairobi}

Kenyans should improve on oral communication.

Whenever an accident occurs or another occurrence—good or bad—Kenyans flock to the scene to witness .A little later, members of the fourth estate jostle there to record the happening as well as witness the eye witness. In many instance than not, the interviewees struggle to narrate the actual thing that took place. At the end of the day, the information is distorted to a great extent. The worst case is when the police officers are interviewed. In political forum, a good number of politicians find themselves on the receiving end over their remarks. In most cases, such politicians make their remarks innocently but due to the poor communication skill. It is interesting to note that even well-educated professionals make the same mistake when addressing the public or in similar forum. In the above situations, one can deduce that communication skills are lacking. It is therefore important that our education system should put emphasis on oral communication skill. This form of communication is absolutely necessary as it can mean life or death in sensitive professionals like medical or aviation. It is for this reason that it should be nurtured in formative learning institutions so that everybody can grow up knowing how to communicate effectively to avoid misinterpretation of message. James Mwangi Kanyi Nairobi

Why I will not be going to Kikuyu in the near future.

For more than five times I had promised my childhood friend Michael Maina a visit in Kikuyu. I decided to make good my promise in November 2008.That idea crossed my mind when I was walking along Moi Avenue in Nairobi. I walked briskly towards Kenya National Archives and caught a 105 matatu near there at 11am. Half an hour later I was in Kikuyu township. I called my Michael and he joined me a few minutes later. We exchanged pleasantries as he suggested that we get in a café for lunch. Later on, we left for his home some 500 meters away. We found his wife,Lilian, relaxing in the house.Apparently; she was recovering from a bout of malaria that had brought her down. “Where have you been all these months, Mwangi?” she asked me. “I have been busy in my work but at least I have found time today to honor my promise,” I replied. For the better part of the afternoon, the three were engaged in a jovial chit chat as we caught movies. It wasn’t until 6pm that I realized that it was getting late and I requested to leave. “Why don’t you spend the night with us here today?” Lilian implored. “I will do it another day, today you have to excuse me as I have some important matters to attend to tomorrow morning,” I pleaded with her. With that, I bid her goodbye. Michael accompanied me to the township as we discussed important matters pertaining to our families. When we got near the bus stage, he suggested that we take nyama choma in an eatery a few meters away. This accorded us time to discuss some important matters in a nitty gritty. At 7.30pm, we walked together at the stage. I was fortunate to find a matatu almost immediately. He bid me goodbye when the matatu was full. I sat on the seat directly behind the driver’s seat.Minutes later, we drove off towards our destination. Some passengers alighted at Gitaru as others boarded. This took more that five minutes and some passengers started complaining. When we made it to Kinoo, the driver stopped the matatu as more passengers alighted.Meanwhile, the passengers who wanted to board the matatu literally fought to secure seats. Some hooligans extorted cash from the tout for what they explained as searching for passengers. I learned that is a normal occurrence in Kinoo especially at night fall.Ten minutes later, we drove off. Hardly had we driven for a kilometer along Waiyaki Way than a dramatic twist of events took place in the matatu.The passenger who was seated near the driver brandished a gun and hit the driver in the head. He then pulled him out of the driver’s cabin and he took control of the 14-seater matatu.He ordered the driver to pass through the metal contraption behind the driver’s seat. The frightened driver stepped crawled over the passengers until he was got to the rear seats.Meanwhile, three other passengers ordered us to remain silent and hand over money and phones to them. They too had guns. It occurred to us that the matatu was under the control of hijackers. Everything happened so fast that I thought I was in a dreamland. The hijacker who was behind the wheel swerved from right to left before he could manage to control the matatu.It was so scary considering how dangerous Waiyaki way is. We were hapless in the hands of dangerous criminals. I gave them the cash I had and also my phone.However,I managed to chuck out the SIM card discreetly. The criminal who assumed the role of the tout, continued picking unsuspecting passengers along the way. Once inside, their possessions were likewise taken away. The hijackers exchanged some words and decided to divert from the main highway. They drove us along James Gichuru road as they threatened to shoot us should they realize that we could be hiding any money. We had no idea where the hijackers were taking us and we had every reason to be scared stiff. They drove us to towards Kawangware.Once there, they once again divert the vehicle along a bumpy weather road. I couldn’t tell where we were. Ten minutes later, we made it to the slum dwelling. The four criminals alighted from the vehicle casually and melted into the sprawling slum. The driver of that matatu drove us to Muthaiga police station where we recorded our statements. Most of us had lost our valuables but amazing there were those had managed to hide money in their inner wears. As I was wondering how I would make it to my home since I had no money with me, a middle-aged man who I got acquainted to as we drove to the station promised to take care of that. He told me, “Imagine it is just the grace of God that those criminals didn’t frisk us too much. I have Kshs.12000 I managed to hide in private parts.” The driver was kind enough and he drove us all the way to Nairobi. I was fortunate in that my newly found friend was going in the same route as myself. He gave me Kshs.200 and I made it home safely. It was such a nightmare. I called Michael when I made it home. It was hard to convince him what had happened to me. The only conviction that he had was the fact that he had tried to call me when we parted but I was unreachable. James Mwangi Kanyi.

Fight against terror will be won at last.

The killing of fugitive master of terror Osama bin Laden by the American soldiers in Pakistan on Monday was the best news this year on fight against terrorism. Many innocent people have lost their lives around the world as a result of his wicked plots.
No justifiable reason can stand the ground as to why lives should be taken away by a person who swore enmity with American people. It is good riddance that at last he was smoked out and his extinguished at the height of combating terror globally.
This should serve a lesson to his henchmen who are hiding in various countries like Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq. The message to those terrorist is that their days are numbered and they will be exterminated no matter how they feel safe at the moment. It has taken more than a decade to catch up on Osama but at last he is resting in misery (oops! peace) somewhere under the sea in Pakistan.
No stone shall remain unturned in the quest for terror combat.


James Mwangi Kanyi
olewakungu@gmail.com
Nairobi.

Need to reform Petroleum industry.

The footage of long queues by the motorists around the country to buy fuel from the filing stations last week was very embarrassing to say the least. It depicted a state of confusion and irresponsibility by the key players in the Energy sector.
To start with, there has been no disruption of supply of the precious commodity on local or international scale. The unavailability of petrol in the filing station was by and large attributed to unethical trade practices such as hoarding.
Therefore, it is very important that Government’s intervention in this sector should be aggressive to avoid such a recurrence. The loss in revenue collection for the four days the shortage was there runs in billions of shillings.
Even as the President Mwai Kibaki directed that the Energy and Finance ministers to put their act together to ensure that supply is done normally and at an affordable price, there need to be radical reform in this sector. In the past, the petroleum industry has been run by cartel-like operators and this is the main reason the oil prices have been adjusted upward in an arbitrary manner.
Now that South Sudan will be an independent country on July 9th this year, it is imperative to grab the opportunity of outsourcing the precious commodity from there on a long-term plan. This will go a long way in reducing the costs and thus matching the prices.

James Mwangi Kanyi,

Nairobi.