Slain KBC Journalists Betty Barasa. Photo/Courtesy
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 10 – The battle for the country’s soul is on trial, following months that have been characterized by a wave of murder, disappearances and suicide.
On the dock is the country’s incessant increasing insecurity and killings that now has the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) concerned by the brazen threat to the security of Kenyans.
A spike in insecurity, mysterious disappearnces,heinous and brutal murder of Kenyans witnessed recently now raises questions on what is the government doing in ensuring the safety of its citizens.
The recent murder of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) journalist Betty Barasa has raised questions.
It is a killing that has evoked anger after thugs brutally murdered the senior video editor at her Oloolua residence in Ngong, Kajiado county.
It is a case sleuths from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are probing a possible case of foul play, with a preliminary analysis showing she was targeted.
“This is just one of the many of such heinous acts of gangs of criminals that is leading to loss of lives of innocent Kenyans and puts to question the efficiency of the security measures put in place by the Government,” Law Society of Kenya Chief Executive Officer said in a statement.
Another recent murder case is that of veteran journalist and National Land Commission Director of Communications Jennifer Wambua back in March.
Her body was recovered in Ngong forest and days later identified by her family after missing under a mystery yet to be unraveled.
The deceased, was a state witnesses in a multi-million corruption case involving a sitting legislator.
Despite the family demanding justice, detectives are yet to make any arrests.
The body of lawyers is now demanding that the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai and DCI Boss George Kinoti expedite investigations to all the killings and cases of disappearances.
The motive of the probe, LSK said is to ensure “the evil perpetrators who must then be apprehended, arraigned in court and prosecuted accordingly.”
The National Police Service has not been spared either by a worrying wave that includes that of femicide, that has seen tens of Kenyans lose their lives in the hands of their partners.
On Tuesday, a General Service Unit (GSU) officer attached to Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i to offer protection services shot his wife, a traffic officer attached to the Kilimani Police station 8 times before committing suicide.
The wife died instantly but his children, who witnessed the traumatizing incident escaped unhurt.
The Cabinet Secretary said the incident was, “a rude awakening to psychosocial challenges among some of our young officers that we have no choice but to now pay greater attention to.”
Stakeholders have however put the NPS to task over such incidents despite a 2016 taskforce making recommendations on how to combat the challenges facing men and women in the service.
The report was never made public and whether it was implemented or not is another mystery.
And all this has gotten the LSK worried and calling for action.
The LSK is also putting to task the police over the whereabouts of an advocate of the High Court, Benson Njau, which remains unknown.
He was kidnapped in broad day light on February 7th, 2021.
“The examples enumerated above, bear grim testament to the failure by duty bearers in upholding their mandate and constitutional duty to protect the lives and property of the Kenyan people,” the LSK CEO said.
The effects of the insecurity within Kenya’s borders now seem to be trickling concerns beyond it.
This week, the United States slapped Kenya with a travel advisory, citing crime, terrorism, health issues and kidnapping concerns.
“Terrorist attacks have occurred with little or no warning, targeting Kenyan and foreign government facilities, tourist locations, transportation hubs, hotels, resorts, markets/shopping malls, and places of worship. Terrorist acts have included armed assaults, suicide operations, bomb/grenade attacks, and kidnappings” reads the advisory.” Read the statement by the US.
Its citizens were further urged to reconsider traveling to Kibera and Eastlands due to several ‘threats’ such as crime and kidnappings.
What next for Kenya?
The Law Society of Kenya is calling on the government to reintroduce tax reliefs, as a way to cushion millions of people whose source of income has drastically reduced, while others have lost their jobs.
Also Read:
Thug made a phone call after killing KBC journalist
Matiangi’s appeal after his body guard killed wife and committed suicide
After UK, the US slaps Kenya with a travel advisory
City cop killed hours after shooting dead colleague following a disagreement
It’s a dire situation that has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic that struck the country in March, 2020.
The country is battling a third and more lethal wave of infections, that has led to a high fatality rate and strained the fragile health sector to the end.
Since March 2020, Kenya has recorded 143,000 positive cases of COVID, with 2, 292 deaths.
As a precautionary measure, the Capital city Nairobi and four other countries have been zoned and put on a lockdown.
Other counties include Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos and Nakuru.
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