Corruption blamed for increased insecurity
Corruption is one of the causes of insecurity and has cost Kenyan lives by enabling the enemies’ planning and operations.
The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report revealed that there have been entrenched cartels and corrupt special interests in the security sector for decades which has affected the country.
Some of the security personnel have been unable to provide security adequately as the cartels deny the front-line security officer the proper equipment, allowances and support they need.
In other cases, procurement costs are vastly inflated, while providing wrong equipment with weaker than-required capabilities to our disciplined services, leading to loss of lives.
Most Kenyans do not feel sufficiently safe and secure, and this coupled by lack of a security system that is responsive to the needs and rights of citizens, hinders the efforts to have a united and prosperous country.
Kenyan security challenges stem from the global terror, failed neighbouring states, and the volatile and fragile Middle East states. Another challenge is the deepening of the democracy and increasing the civil liberties when there is a global spread of ideologies of hatred, division and subjugation.
Territorial integrity
The report recommends strong measures to deter attempts by some countries to compromise the territorial integrity of Kenya. The measures, however, should be in line with the Constitution and international law.
The country should also be ready to pre-empt any attempts to breach its sovereignty and national security Terror attacks and terrorist propaganda should not be allowed to undermine social and religious cohesion.
There is urbanisation without industrialisation and this combined with “youth bulge” leads to a jobless, despairing youth population that is accommodating to terrorist recruitment, militant politics, and criminality.
Elections characterised by ethnicity have resulted in extraordinary national security effort.
Organised crime and corruption cartels take advantage of this ethnic game to try and control procurement, regulation and law enforcement, all to the detriment of our security.
The report recommends the parliamentary oversight of security be strengthened while protecting national security information and processes.
The members of the Parliamentary Defence, Security, and Foreign Relations committees must be thoroughly vetted by the National Intelligence Service before they are sworn to the Secrets Act.
