Al Jazeera put the number of police
officers killed in an ambush in Kenya’s Samburu district last weekend at 42. It
is by far the deadliest attack ever on Kenya’s police force. The attack
happened while police were perusing cattle belonging to the Samburu tribe
stolen by the Turkana tribe. The Turkana tribe was given an ultimatum, to
return the cattle before Friday or face repercussions. These demands were not
met. A large contingent of police was then sent in to recover the cattle, which
lead to the killing of the officers. Cattle theft between the two tribes is not
a new venture and has been going on in a “tit-for-tat” way for some time. However,
armed offensive has only recently been a factor, and the government surely did
not believe it would face such a resistance.
Photo: Al Jazeera
Following the killings the tribes
fear retaliation and brutality from the government. Many have already fled the
area. Lots of hard talk by Police Commissioner Mathew Kirai Itreere is leaving citizens
worried. Obviously a response by the government is warranted, and necessary.
However, knocking down every door in the Turkana tribal communities would
create an extreme level of mistrust and resentment. If the government wants
effective jurisdiction in this region it must foster an atmosphere of trust between
the tribes and the police. This can be done by patiently bringing those
responsible for the killing to justice, and creating a stable long-term
presence in the Samburu region.
Kenyan Commissioner of Police Mathew Kirai Iteere
Photo: AP
This is not just a necessity for
this area; it is a necessity for the entire country. One of the main reasons
cited for the violence following the presidential election in 2007 was the lack
of trust between Kenya’s police force and the population. With another election
approaching early next year it is imperative that the police act in a manor
that will not further mistrust in this region, and across the nation.
"Kenya Hunts for
Suspects in Police Attack - Africa - Al Jazeera English.". Al Jazeer And
Agencies, 13 Nov. 2012.
McKenzie, David.
"Police: 38 Kenyan Officers Killed in Ambush Involving Cattle
Rustlers" CNN. Cable News Network, 13 Nov. 2012.
Odula, Tom. "Hundreds Flee Area of Kenya Where Police
Died." Google News. Associated Press, 13 Nov. 2012.
I agree, this is terrible for Kenya. We have talked in class about Kenya being a (somewhat) working democracy in East Africa and one of USA's closest allies, yet it makes it hard for people to ally with Kenya when their own citizens kill so many police officers. However, it is important to remember the suffering that the pastoral people (like the Turkana) in the north and the Maasai people in the south have gone through. The government has taken so much of their land over the years and confined them to a very small area. Wars with neighboring tribes means that most Turkana men walk around with a machine gun. This is obviously not the fault of the government or the police officers, but maybe more PREVENTATIVE measures should be taken to stop violence before it happens. As the Kenyan elections approach, I can only hope this is an isolated incident and not one that will cause more violence in Kenya.
ReplyDelete