WHO WILL STOP THIS MADNESS?

Yet again, a ghastly attack targeted at innocent citizens was executed yesterday leaving at least six people dead and scores fighting for their lives. The incident, which occurred in the late afternoon, involved a 25-seater mini bus in one of Nairobi city estates. I know exactly what you must be thinking; that the title is a little too harsh? Trust me by the time you’re done reading this post, you will call it an understatement.

The public transport vehicle in which the blast occurred.

On an earlier post titled “The cry of a nation”, I highlighted the spate of terror attacks that Kenya had suffered since the Kenya Defence Forces kick started the offensive against the Al-shabaab terror group. Sadly, days after that operation successfully came to an end, the ugly monster that is terrorism and insecurity continues to rear its head in Kenya. The last couple of months have witnessed a spate of reported incidences of insecurity which have left scores dead and many more injured.

A young victim of the Tana delta clashes.

In a span of less than four weeks, at least a hundred and thirteen people had been brutally murdered in the Tana delta region of Kenya, while thousands fled their homes in fright following the attacks. What is believed to be politically fuelled ethnic clashes spiraled out of control causing a public outcry by the citizens to the government to swiftly swing into action and avert further loss of lives. That was early last month and the government already set up a commission to look into the killings.

The ruins of one of the villages attacked in the Tana

Exit October, enter November, and the wave of insecurity cases rages on. In what was described as “a technical hitch of the officers in charge”, an operation in pursuit of cattle rustlers turned tragic after nearly forty armed police officers were felled by the bandits’ bullets, in what is now referred to as the Baragoi massacre. As a matter of fact, their bodies were scattered across “the valley of death” for nearly three days before the government airlifted the decomposing bodies to the capital. So traumatic was this scene that bereaved families had to receive special counseling from the Kenya Red Cross before proceeding with burial arrangements.

Police officers conduct a search for bodies of their fallen colleagues in Baragoi.

Following yesterday’s attack on a public transport vehicle which left several people dead and others seriously injured, rowdy youths are reported to have turned hostile towards members of a particular community, blaming them for the attack. As am sure you can imagine, this made an already bad situation worse, by adding on to the number of casualties. The terror attack comes weeks after another attack in which a grenade was hauled inside a Sunday school service killing a child and leaving others seriously injured. 

The class where children were in the middle of a Sunday school service when a grenade was hauled.

With every of these incidents of insecurity Kenyans are left wondering who will assure them of their security, seeing as the government is seemingly reactive rather than proactive on the security matters. This begs the question “who will stop this madness?” because seriously, as far as national security goes - something needs to be done as soon as yesterday!!

Well there you have it, these chilling statistics on insecurity leave a really bad taste in ones mouth; don’t they? I’m sure you do agree that when I talk of “who will stop this madness?” it’s for lack of a better phrase, and an understatement of the grim situation as it is. This is the part where I say “I told you so” but considering the sad circumstances under which I’m writing this post I’ll spare you further heart ache.

I, as am sure do all Kenyan’s of good will, really hope the government effectively steps up to its mandate of ensuring every citizen is safe, be it from terrorism or tribal clashes, especially as the General Election draws closer. On their part, citizens should co-operate with the authorities and give any information they might have on possible criminal elements who pose as civilians.

I pen off.

OBAMA’S MOMENT

When America went to the poll last week Tuesday to decide between Barrack Obama and Mitt Romney, political analysts had predicted that it would be a tightly contested race. Anxiety had taken the best of both candidates supporters. And while the world observed the American election, Kenya watched with a keen eye and bated breath.  

American president elect Barack Obama.

Republican Candidate Mitt Romney.

Barack Obama was declared the winner amidst wild jubilation from his supporters. He then proceeded to give a powerful acceptance speech while Romney conceded defeat.  Back in Kenya, words alone cannot adequately paint a picture of the concurrent events. This given the ancestral ties the American president elect has with Kenya.

The Obama's acknowledge cheers from supporters.

To begin with, way before the presidential election, women groups in Kogelo, which is the ancestral land of Barack, had been holding special prayers for the incumbent president’s victory! As Americans took to the voting stations Tuesday, the villagers in Kogelo braved the morning cold to conduct a mock election, whereby “voters” cast their ballot in favor of Romney or Obama. Need I say who emerged the mock election winner?

Kogelo residents celebrating Obama's win

The villagers proceeded to spend the night glued to the television screens as the results were streamed in live by major media houses. By late morning, it was apparent that Obama had taken the lead and that marked the beginning of ecstatic celebrations across the village as people chanted the now famous slogan “four more years!” On social networking sites, congratulatory messages to the president elect stole the show.

Routine activities were shelved as the jubilant citizens celebrated the victory in the best way they knew how. Mrs. Sarah Obama, the president elect’s step grandmother was not one to be left out of such revelry. The senior Obama thanked God for Barrack’s success and said she looked forward to attending the swearing in ceremony in America early next year.

Mama Sarah Obama celebrates with other villagers.

That said, Obama has four more years at the white house. The fact that the American presidency is the most powerful political position in the world means everyone will be watching with keen interest the policies he advocates for. Given his charm and charisma, the Americans knew better than to deny him a second term in office! 

Here is to four more years!!