MALITI: Policing should evolve with new terrorism tricks
It is clear the terrorists in our midst are evolving but our police service is stuck in the old ways.
The terrorists have broadened their zone of attacks in Nairobi. Not too long ago their attacks were mainly in Eastleigh. That changed with the attack on Westgate. Since then the attacks can be expected anywhere.
The terrorists have also become more daring. Not too long ago their attacks consisted of throwing a solitary grenade at a stationary police vehicle or outside a mosque or church.
That changed when gunmen walked into Westgate and started shooting randomly. It changed further with the recent Roysambu and Gikomba attacks where two targets were attacked almost simultaneously.
The terrorists, however, do not seem keen on always claiming responsibility for the attacks. This is a puzzle. Most terrorists seek to claim responsibility for attacks because of the propaganda value to them.
It is always assumed the al-Shabaab are responsible, but what if they did not carry out some of these attacks? What if another group did?
We have no clarity on this because our police either are not doing their work or are choosing to play down what is happening. This needs to change if we are to overcome this growing sense of fear and hopelessness.
Our women and men in blue recognised this when they contributed substantially to what is now known as the Ransley Report.
This is the government report, completed in 2009, that analysed in detail the state of the police and what needed to change.
The legal changes recommended in the Ransley Report have been implemented, but not the recommendations on police operations. These include proposals on cleaning up the senior ranks and introduction of intelligence-based policing.
It is clear the senior ranks of the police are resisting these reforms. They need to stop resisting reform for all our sakes.
tom.maliti@live.com