Guns Silent: Kenya Security officers go musical in the promotion of law

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 9- In the words of Henry Wadsworth, an American poet, “Music is the universal language of mankind.”

Beyond the predominant role of serving up great entertainment, music has for decades been used as a powerful tool to promote and tackle social, religious and cultural subjects in our society.

As millions use music to travel to a world free of stress and suffering particularly during a time,when the world is battling a global pandemic. It is this very innate ability of music, to ease the human spirit, inspire and foster unity, that solely drives a section of our security agencies who have adopted music to tackle some social ills affecting society to the rhythm of growth.

Though a stable of various agencies, there is a renewed zeal, following the emergence of the deadly COVID-19 virus, that struck Kenya in March claiming 1,130 lives by Monday, that has ignited the use of music during these difficult times.

From the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to the various units within the National Police Service, music is becoming an integral fabric in their communication strategy.

More so for the National Police Service (NPS), that has been battling a tainted image for decades, its dark past, a stain in the minds of many Kenyans, not easily forgotten even with officers donning the accentuated Persian blue uniform.

The officers are now however using music, to paint a different picture of the service, long characterized by a plate of ills: excessive use of force, extra-judicial killings and even enforced disappearances. Though the road to reforms is long, all is not grim.

In his song “Askari Ni Binadamu (Police are human beings) police officer Sammy Ngare demystifies this, “To you human rights defenders, police too are human beings. We too, have rights, just like any other person.

We go through a lot of tribulations, we get tempted in various ways, we suffer and we also get killed…” goes the lyrics in the nearly decade old song.

He has used the power of his music to speak out against tribalism, violence and most importantly the respect for the rule of law.

Years on, both the KDF and NPS, are now using music more frequently, to inspire hope among Kenyans during what has been described as, ‘the age of COVID-19’ pandemic, constantly reminding and encouraging Kenyans to make safety their top priority and importantly,adhere to the government’s preventive guidelines. All this through music.

Take for instance, the highly respected Maroon Commandos of the KDF, who have released several musical compositions, now part of an enviable music catalog. Some of the songs cautioning Kenyans against a disease that has nearly crippled the country’s key economic sectors.

The Maroon Commandos have dabbled in various music genres to communicate their message effectively to Kenyans. Their Corona rendition songs in Reggae and Rhumba have however been a successful hit, appealing to both the old and younger generations.

Since March, 63, 244 Kenyans have been infected, out of which 42, 659 have recovered according to the Ministry of Health statistics.

Within the National Police Service, there is the Administration Police Service band and that of the General Service Unit choir.

The AP band, have composed several songs giving a musical history lesson on the origin of the virus, its dangers and most importantly how to protect yourself and family. Beautifully composed in swahili.

The song, ‘Korona’, goes ahead to talk of the importance of maintaining social distance, wearing a face mask while in public places and sanitizing by washing hands.

Further, it melodically talks about what will happen if the virus curve flattens; “When we adhere to the health protocols, the economy will improve, roads will be opened…”

“Let us unite Kenyans and observe the health protocols,” goes the song.

Currently, a multi-agency team from the police service is leading a crackdown on those defying the health protocols. By using music, even disseminated on social media platforms, the operation has now directly been taken to Kenyan’s doorstep.

Hours after the song was uploaded on YouTube, thousands of people have watched the song.

” Very educative, good music. Rhumba is Rhumba. May God bless the APS band and NPS fraternity at large,” Elo Okoyo posted on the comment section.

With the new trend, it is becoming clear that other than through the use of guns, teargas and other security paraphernalia, members of security agencies can use their vocals to promote the rule of law.

He who sings, Spanish writer and one of the world’s pre-eminent novelists Miguel De Cervantes says, frighten away his ills.

Will Kenya security agencies succeed in ‘frightening’ the social ills through music? Then again, it has been said, “Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common.”