Kenyans feel the heat as war on terrorism begins
NAIROBI, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenyans are bracing
themselves for tough times as threats of terror attack on the country's
interests by Somali's al Shabaab militants hang over nation.
Most Kenyans have started to feel the heat of the terror-attack threats as police intensify security and a crackdown on suspected al Shabaab sympathizers in the country.
For many Kenyans, the scenario that has started to play out, especially in Nairobi where al Shabaab vowed to bring down skyscrapers, is similar to what happened in America after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack.
Now, in Nairobi, there is loss of tranquillity and sense of security as people go about their businesses.
On the other hand, Kenyans have to endure all manner of surveillance as they walk around town, enter buildings and travel.
Authorities at various skyscrapers in the central business district in Nairobi have intensified scrutiny of both motorists and pedestrians.
Vehicles and people have to go through sensors, scanners and security checks that last for several minutes. Then, while in the buildings, cameras are there to monitor their movements.
On Wednesday, Kenya's Parliament approved a raft of security measures to improve safety across the country.
The parliamentarians endorsed a start of major police operations in Eastleigh, an area hosting thousands of Somali nationals, to flush out suspected al Shabaab operatives and smash their networks. "We will conduct a massive operation to get rid of al Shabaab and al Qaeda here in Nairobi, especially in Eastleigh. I urge the police to be helpful so that our country can be safe," Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojodeh told Parliament.
The minister noted that al Shabaab has its main network in Kenya, which must be dismantled for the country to win the war against the group and terror. "The war against al Shabaab is like fighting a big animal with its main network in Kenya and only a fraction of it extending into Somalia. This is an animal with its head in Eastleigh, Nairobi and the tail in Somalia," the minister told Parliament.
Besides the swoops, passengers in flights and buses to and from regions bordering Somalia would undergo thorough security checks.
For flights heading to provinces near the Kenya-Somali border namely North Eastern, Coast, upper Eastern and Rift Valley, they will have to obtain clearance certificates from the Kenya Police to operate. The renewable certificate will be in force for three months and will be offered at no fee.
Passengers on the buses and flights will also be vetted and their identity verified. The minister acknowledged that Kenyans will not be comfortable with the scrutiny and increased security operations but said police have to do it for the safety of the country. "These terror threats and subsequent police operations are going to spur changes in our lives. I must admit that as a Kenyan working in Nairobi, my life would never be the same again. My thinking on security matters and my safety is also going to change, " Bernard Musau, a resident of Nairobi said on Thursday.
Musau noted that by Kenya choosing to enter into Somalia to flush out the militants to protect its security and economy, the country has started a war that would transcend generations. "This would be an endless war against terrorism. Fighting terrorists, who have a link to the biggest terrorism network-al Qaeda, cannot not be a month's thing. It will go on for years, just as it is happening in America," he says. "This is the path we are taking as a country. Even after our troops pull out of Somalia after winning the war over al Shabaab, as a country, we will never feel safer again. There will always be fear against terror attacks," he said.
Musau wondered whether Kenya will sustain the war on terrorism as Americans have done since September 11 terror attack. "Americans have invested heavily on security. They spend billions of dollars a year on security. We do not have such kind of money but we will have to increase our budget on security in the coming years," said Musau who supports the military action in Somalia.
And as Kenya police search for suspicious elements in Eastleigh and other parts of Nairobi, those feeling the heat more are citizens of Somali origin. "We are automatic suspects. Police suspect us for being Somali immigrants and al Shabaab sympathizers. Many Kenyan-Somalis are going to suffer during the swoops because once you are suspected, it is hard to prove that you are not an al Shabaab adherent," Adan Adow, resident of Eastleigh said on Thursday.
He said while he would be glad to see Kenya safer, the police should not use the opportunity to harass law-abiding citizens. "It is hard to differentiate between Somalis from Kenya and those from Somalia. We all look the same and each one of us has a sizeable population in Nairobi. We hope Kenyans will not be victimised," he said, adding that as the fight against al Shabaab insurgents heightens in Somalia, Kenya's journey on war on terrorism has just begun.
Source: Xinhuanet
Most Kenyans have started to feel the heat of the terror-attack threats as police intensify security and a crackdown on suspected al Shabaab sympathizers in the country.
For many Kenyans, the scenario that has started to play out, especially in Nairobi where al Shabaab vowed to bring down skyscrapers, is similar to what happened in America after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack.
Now, in Nairobi, there is loss of tranquillity and sense of security as people go about their businesses.
On the other hand, Kenyans have to endure all manner of surveillance as they walk around town, enter buildings and travel.
Authorities at various skyscrapers in the central business district in Nairobi have intensified scrutiny of both motorists and pedestrians.
Vehicles and people have to go through sensors, scanners and security checks that last for several minutes. Then, while in the buildings, cameras are there to monitor their movements.
On Wednesday, Kenya's Parliament approved a raft of security measures to improve safety across the country.
The parliamentarians endorsed a start of major police operations in Eastleigh, an area hosting thousands of Somali nationals, to flush out suspected al Shabaab operatives and smash their networks. "We will conduct a massive operation to get rid of al Shabaab and al Qaeda here in Nairobi, especially in Eastleigh. I urge the police to be helpful so that our country can be safe," Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojodeh told Parliament.
The minister noted that al Shabaab has its main network in Kenya, which must be dismantled for the country to win the war against the group and terror. "The war against al Shabaab is like fighting a big animal with its main network in Kenya and only a fraction of it extending into Somalia. This is an animal with its head in Eastleigh, Nairobi and the tail in Somalia," the minister told Parliament.
Besides the swoops, passengers in flights and buses to and from regions bordering Somalia would undergo thorough security checks.
For flights heading to provinces near the Kenya-Somali border namely North Eastern, Coast, upper Eastern and Rift Valley, they will have to obtain clearance certificates from the Kenya Police to operate. The renewable certificate will be in force for three months and will be offered at no fee.
Passengers on the buses and flights will also be vetted and their identity verified. The minister acknowledged that Kenyans will not be comfortable with the scrutiny and increased security operations but said police have to do it for the safety of the country. "These terror threats and subsequent police operations are going to spur changes in our lives. I must admit that as a Kenyan working in Nairobi, my life would never be the same again. My thinking on security matters and my safety is also going to change, " Bernard Musau, a resident of Nairobi said on Thursday.
Musau noted that by Kenya choosing to enter into Somalia to flush out the militants to protect its security and economy, the country has started a war that would transcend generations. "This would be an endless war against terrorism. Fighting terrorists, who have a link to the biggest terrorism network-al Qaeda, cannot not be a month's thing. It will go on for years, just as it is happening in America," he says. "This is the path we are taking as a country. Even after our troops pull out of Somalia after winning the war over al Shabaab, as a country, we will never feel safer again. There will always be fear against terror attacks," he said.
Musau wondered whether Kenya will sustain the war on terrorism as Americans have done since September 11 terror attack. "Americans have invested heavily on security. They spend billions of dollars a year on security. We do not have such kind of money but we will have to increase our budget on security in the coming years," said Musau who supports the military action in Somalia.
And as Kenya police search for suspicious elements in Eastleigh and other parts of Nairobi, those feeling the heat more are citizens of Somali origin. "We are automatic suspects. Police suspect us for being Somali immigrants and al Shabaab sympathizers. Many Kenyan-Somalis are going to suffer during the swoops because once you are suspected, it is hard to prove that you are not an al Shabaab adherent," Adan Adow, resident of Eastleigh said on Thursday.
He said while he would be glad to see Kenya safer, the police should not use the opportunity to harass law-abiding citizens. "It is hard to differentiate between Somalis from Kenya and those from Somalia. We all look the same and each one of us has a sizeable population in Nairobi. We hope Kenyans will not be victimised," he said, adding that as the fight against al Shabaab insurgents heightens in Somalia, Kenya's journey on war on terrorism has just begun.
Source: Xinhuanet
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