Government Has Failed in Duty to Protect Citizens

22 May 2011

editorial

Nairobi — The Kenyan Grand Coalition government is failing in its duty to protect the territorial integrity of the country.

Kenya is being invaded at will by neigbours and citizens are getting killed yet the government is either reluctant to act or is procrastinating.

In Turkana in the north, Merille tribesmen after killing 20 Kenyans, have chased away citizens from their villages and about 2,500 of them are tilling the lands while the local Turkana are starving.

The irony is that Prime Minister Raila Odinga confessed in parliament that the Kenyan national intelligence had informed the government prior to the raid but there was no action.

President Mwai Kibaki as the commander- in-chief must unequivocally instruct the army, whose duty is to protect the country’s border, to rise to the occasion, or he will be failing in his oath of office to protect the citizens of Kenya.

Apart from frequent incursions into Kenya by the Somali al-Shabaab and Sudanese Toposa, Uganda recently took another island, Ugingo after refusing to vacate Migingo. The Kenya government looks like a lame duck in the eyes of neighbours.

As an economic powerhouse, Kenya must be seen to be in a position to stamp its authority in security matters. This will not only assure citizens of their safety, but will also give potential foreign investors the guarantees that their investments would be protected.

It is encouraging though, that the cabinet has met and decided to secure all Kenyan borders and rehabilitate the boundary beacons. Kenyans need assurance that they are safe in their country.

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