This sort of callousness did not come as a surprise; it was the response of our very own President Moi that sent me reeling. The aged reptilian had the satanic audacity to slither to the scene of the crime and croak, "Kenya is safe for Israelis." Excuse me sir, are you or are you not the President of my native homeland? Is it or is it not your highest duty to protect the lives and safety of your own people? Did you feel even an iota of shame as you stood there mouthing that garbage surrounded by murdered, maimed and burned Kenyans?
The criminals who plotted and financed the attack and their moronic minions who executed it bear full responsibility for the blood that was shed and the lives that were lost. It does us no good as a nation to intone in a castrato-like manner "Why us? Why us?"
It should have been obvious even before the latest infamy that Kenya has enemies. How else would you refer to the terrorists who blew up Ufundi Coop House, the Cooperative House and the American Embassy on August 7, 1998 and the Jewish-owned Norfolk Hotel in 1981? One might say "they were just trying to harm American and Israeli interests," but my response is this "Kenyans died!"
If a psychotic sheik is scripting some devilish plot to "harm American and Israeli interests" that features my people as collateral damage, I humbly submit that the said psychotic sheik should be put down like the rabid dog he is.
"But Kenya is just a small country and doesn't have the means to exact retribution." You obviously haven't heard of Mohamed Rashed Daoud al-'Owhali and Mohamed Sadeek Odeh. These two disciples of Satan and Osama bin Laden participated in the 1998 attack on Kenya. They were arrested in Kenya by the Kenyan police. It is also important to note that their convictions rested on the fact that they confessed to their crimes. These confessions were obtained after a series of brief but friendly chats with Kenyan security forces. One would hope that by now these gentlemen would be safe and secure in unmarked graves at Kamiti Maximum Security Prison in Nairobi, Kenya. Unfortunately this is not the case. They are in fact enjoying halal meals at an American facility and might appear on "Music Behind Bars," the VH1 show that spotlights the musical talents of convicted criminals-murderers may apply. They were extradited to America because our government "did not wish to provoke further attacks."
This was a noble attempt to soft-pedal our way into peace and security, but it failed miserably. Our enemies will not be moved by sheepish passivity or weepy victimhood; these people understand force and that's the language we need to start speaking to them. Our security forces are dogged by charges of incompetence and corruption, but fortunately these are not incurable diseases. I am an optimist and believe that with the assistance of a swift kick in the ass they can rise to the occasion as they did in 1998 and track down those responsible for the latest provocation.
Some or all of those responsible for the attacks will be apprehended; when they fall into Kenya's hands there can be no question of extradition to Israel. Twelve Kenyans are dead, and there is no death penalty in Israel. We must maintain a gentlemanly mien and extend to the criminals nothing short of V.I.P. treatment once they are in custody. They should enjoy the benefit of a fair trial and a humane execution if they are found guilty.
What good will executing people who are willing to die for a cause do? There are States that have successfully quelled fanatics who delight in blowing people to bits. When terrorists killed 60 tourists and Egyptians in 1997 in Luxor, Egypt, the Egyptian government had the option of treating the murderers of children and innocents with kiddie gloves. They chose instead to take matters firmly in hand. Through the use of stringent security measures and exemplary pursuit and punishment of the guilty, the terrorists were crushed. Since that time, there has been no such subsequent attack on Egyptian soil.
If we are to stop being slaughtered like sheep we shall have to take responsibility for our own security-allowing the armed agents of a foreign power to run around Mombasa doesn't count. Once the people are convinced that their government is acting in their best interests and not as the lapdog of outside forces, cooperation will ensue. There may, of course, be intransigent elements, but in an environment where the state enjoys the goodwill and support of the people, such characters will be of no consequence. This is the way to make Kenya safe for Kenyans.