LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PRESIDENT

We are concerned Kenyan citizens and would like to humbly submit the following recommendations to the President of the Republic of Kenya, in light of growing national insecurity: 1. That the President fulfils his promise to the nation in the aftermath of the Westgate attack in September 2013, namely; to institute a credible and comprehensive public inquiry into the failings of national security system. That inquiry must not, however be limited to terror attacks but should thoroughly investigate the capacity of the security apparatus to respond to insecurity of all manifestations, including resource-based conflicts in Northern Kenya, violent crime, growth of local militia and violence against women, etc.

2. That the Government fully implements the National Police Service Act to create a unified police service as per the Act, and that the amendments made in June 2013 be reviewed. Further, that the Government implements the recommendations detailed in the report of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority into the Mpeketoni attack.

3. That the illegal deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces within Kenya without the express authorisation of Parliament ceases immediately and any operations suspended forthwith pending such authorisation.

4. That Kenya Defence Forces be investigated in regard to claims about their link to charcoal and sugar smuggling cartels allied to Al-Shabaab. Proceeds from the illicit trade are used to finance Al-Shabaab terror activities.

5. That the Government respects the rights of all Kenyans without exception, as required by the Constitution, and provides an unambiguous undertaking that it recognizes the sanctity of such rights.

9. The Nyumba Kumi initiative be fully implemented and county governments integrated in local security initiatives.

10. Institute a legal framework that would make it mandatory for all Kenyans over 18 years to be drafted for military training and serve for a period of at least one year. This would equip all and raise mass awareness about national security.

11. Elevate Anti-Terror Police Unit to a semi-autonomous agency with its staff and independent director and equip it to handle terror effectively. Attach RECCE and RDU units to the agency for tactical support. Further, revive the joint Anti-Terror Task Force that was headed by former CID director Major General Michael Gichangi that had the mandate to organise, coordinate and run all anti-terror, drug trafficking and international money laundering efforts from a central command.

12. Institute credible and inclusive efforts towards creating youth employment as a measure of enhancing national security. There is compelling evidence that joblessness and desperation are some of the factors pushing the young to join terror networks.

13. Sign and ratify the Arms Trade Treaty that came into force in December 2014. This is a critical instrument in the control of illegal transfer of arms into the country. In the same breath, the State should review gun control policy in the country.

14. The Government should consider tribalism and corruption as main sources of insecurity in Kenya and institute credible measures to address the twin challenges.

15. Reform the National Cohesion and Integration Commission. Its dismal performance since inception has denied justice to many deserving Kenyans.

16. Create a public portal that allows anonymous reporting of crime and monitor public funds/development through social audits.

17. Take criticism from the opposition, civil society and citizens more positively. Their recommendations are from people who deeply care about this country and want to see it thrive for themselves and future generations.

18. Entrench a culture of public participation in the countrys legislative agenda such as Budget-making process.

19. As a long-term strategy to enhance national security, the Government should beef up intelligence collection from the lowest levels of public administration by ensuring that chiefs and their assistants are mandated to handle security issues, and that they are given the necessary tools to do so.

20. To stump out cattle rustling, which has been fanning insecurity in North Eastern Province, all cattle should have tracking chips that can be used to verify ownership and trace the animals when they are stolen.

21. Make public and implement the findings of the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission report. It defeats logic to commission reports if they are never made public or acted upon.

22. Implement the Akiwumi Report in full. Hailed as one of the best reports to emerge in modern Kenya, it lays on the line what need be done to address recurrent ethnic strife across Kenya.

23. Build barracks along the border between Kenya and Somalia and Ethiopia instead of the wall that has been initiated.

24. Initiate national dialogue on salient issues affecting the citizens, from graft to insecurity.

25. Just as the President was unequivocal during My dress, My Choice campaign, the Government should be unequivocal that acts of violence and aggression on fellow citizens simply because one doesn't agree with anothers lifestyle choices and constitutionally guaranteed freedoms shall not be tolerated and such breaches faced with the full force of the law.

26. End the disdain towards the Press Estate, for all functional democracies embrace journalism as a credible measure of democracy.27. Increase the number of specialised forces within the police force such as the Recce squads to deal with security emergencies but also to enhance general security.

28. Use technology to fight crime. In this connection, the forensic laboratory whose money was swindled in Anglo Leasing scam should be revived.

29. Negotiate within UNISOM to redeploy the Kenyan military contingent in Somalia to Sector Two. Right now the constant attacks from that sector shows that the Ethiopians who are deployed there are not keen to protect the Kenya border. We should consider increasing the deployment to protect Mandera-Liboi sector, inclusive of the wall being built.

30. Work with religious leaders to end Islamophobia. Research has shown that no child below 12 years is being recruited into Al-Shabaab and hence targeting madrassas as suggested by some leaders will only enhance alienation of the Muslim population and swell the ranks of recruiters to Al-Shabaab.

31. At same time work with local leaders in North Eastern Province to create a new narrative of prosperity and inclusion, instead of the current one of marginalisation and poverty that fuels resentment and anger. This can be improved by improving the political process and citizen participation in the affairs of the counties.

32. Revise the strategy of registration of illegal firearms by herders in northern Kenya. Alternately, adopt the Lodwar Declaration of 2014 by the six dioceses in the region to forcefully disarm everybody while simultaneously boosting border security. Uganda has done it in Karamoja and Kenya should do it while insisting that Ethiopia conducts similar disarmament. South Sudan border could be a problem but Kenya can beef up the camp in Kibich that was built two years ago and its still unmanned.

33. Introduce specialised trained unit in the National Youth service responsible for securing our infrastructure including centres of higher learning round the clock, all year.

34. Use drones combined with a border patrol unit to collect intelligence and act independently on threats. It will be best to include indigenous population to take charge of securing the border. That way, they will feel they have a stake in the process.

35. Cognisant that terror camps are within our borders, target well known havens for terrorists and their local sympathisers. Start by flushing them out of Boni and Witu forests.

36. Stop extra-judicial killings of suspected terrorists but reform the justice system to effectively investigate and prosecute crimes. The requirement to prosecute terror suspects within 24 hours of their arrest, for instance, is untenable.

37. Democratise rather than militarise Kenya. This means creating space for citizens to participate in securing our borders through time-tested dispute resolution mechanisms, reconciliation, etc., rather than enhancing state-centric responses that can only lead to militarisation of politics.

38. Operationalise intergovernmental structures. They exist in law and would improve coordination especially on security matters.

39. Improve disaster response and management in light of growing threats.

40. Clean up corruption at immigration.

41. Implement Ndungu Report on public lands and the nations never-ending land crisis shall, by and large, be solved.

42. Urgently look into the welfare of Kenya Police and other uniformed forces. If the salaries for magistrates and judges were reviewed in order to reduce corruption levels, then why not improve the salaries of those in the first line of defence in prosecuting criminals?

43. To entrench our democracy, empower the media and encourage investment in the sector by making Government advertisement available to forums with requisite circulation, not political patronage.

44. Safeguard media freedoms through a repeal of draconian laws that have been enacted under the guise of fighting terrorism.

45. Professionalise the security docket. The appointment of two Kajiado natives to head Ministry of Interior, or two sons of Marakwet to head the police force reflects political expediency as the key considerations.

46. Enhance the anti-graft agency to effectively tackle the vice. The consistent narrative about the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is about the lack of political will, hence its dismal performance.

47. That the wide area camera surveillance system of the integrated security system being put up under the GoK-Safaricom partnership be democratized to encourage citizens and technocrats participation.

48. The Government should promote patriotism to help people find a purpose to defend and protect our country right. Such values can be inculcated from lower primary school, right through to high school and universities.

49. Demand accountability from politicians who make inflammatory remarks that fan insecurity.

50. Investigate the source of wealth for individuals in Government reportedly involved in criminal enterprise, from piracy to drug trafficking.