EDITORIAL: Only a united global front can defeat the terrorists

Opinion and Analysis

US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec. PHOTO | FILE 

Western powers pledge support for anti-terror war

By Business Daily

Even as the government comes under mounting pressure from Kenyans to curb the rising insecurity in parts of the country, it must have breathed a sigh of relief when Western governments avoided issuing travel advisories following the deadly Mandera terrorist attack that left 28 people dead.

The West was united in condemning what it termed an international terrorism ring that could only be defeated through the united efforts of the world.

Kenya’s tourism industry relies heavily on Western markets for the millions of dollars the sector generates annually. However, terrorism attacks in the Coast have seen some hotels shut down while others have sent their workers home.

In the past, the Western governments have been quick in issuing travel alerts against travel to the country following attacks, but this time it seems Kenya’s allies and trade partners were keen to avoid causing further damage and kept mum on whether advisories would be issued.

The European Union pledged to work with Kenyans in removing the terrorism threat while the United States and Great Britain condemned the attack, adding that they would also assist in combating terrorism.

But even as the government cracks down on the militants it must realise that the rising insecurity in parts of the country have cost it massively in the public domain.

Having pledged to ensure that peace would prevail in the country, the government has stumbled from one security crisis to another.

After the Westgate Shopping Mall attack by Al-Shabaab militants last year, many Kenyans took the government’s word that it had defeated the group. However, it has continues to wage attacks within the country’s borders.

The numbers of Kenyan civilians and security personnel who have lost their lives in these insecurity incidents in Mombasa, Turkana, Baringo, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu and Marsabit have continued to rise.

Despite being told that our porous borders have allowed foreign militants to enter the country, it seems that our officials have not sealed the loopholes that allow them in.

Corrupt border officials and security personnel also have to answer for allowing terrorists to bring weapons into the country, which are then used to kill Kenyans. We urge the government to prosecute those who have aided the perpetrators of these heinous acts.

We concur that one way of defeating terrorists is not by blocking citizens from visiting a particular area, but by roping in the international community to find lasting solutions to the problem.

A united front will have a positive effect than acting in a divided manner, which is what the terrorists want.