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. Investigate the source of wealth for individuals in Government
reportedly involved in criminal enterprise, from piracy to drug trafficking.
Further, make wealth declaration mandatory for all public officials.
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. Such conversations would be greatly enriched with if
whistle-blower and witness protection are guaranteed.
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 on account of their lifestyle shall not be
tolerated and such breaches are faced with the full force of the law,
especially where such freedoms are guaranteed by 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. The less said about the mess
involving issuance of national IDs and passports to illegal aliens, the
better.
41. Implement Ndungu Report on public lands and the nations neverending 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. Finally, take charge of the country, Mr President. The buck should,
and must, stop with you at all times. Kenyans elected you into office to
take charge of their affairs.