We must never allow these criminals to win

What you need to know:

  • First, all public service workers commit to work in any part of the country. Secondly, due to historical factors, northern Kenya relies on staff from other parts of the country because they do not have enough skilled people.
  • They seek to create the impression that there is a deep conflict between Muslims and Christians and exploit that to institutionalise hatred and violence.

The Saturday killing of 28 people in Mandera has opened a new front for industrial dispute, with the teachers’ and medical practitioners’ unions asking their members to stop working in Mandera and, by extension, other conflict-hit regions.

The bulk of those killed were teachers, who were travelling upcountry after schools closed. Also falling victim to the vengeful gangsters’ malevolence were health workers and police officers.

In the face of helplessness, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the medical workers’ union feel that their members should no longer serve in such places. Their concern is valid and understandable. However, it is defeatist and counterproductive.

SKILLED PEOPLE

First, all public service workers commit to work in any part of the country. Secondly, due to historical factors, northern Kenya relies on staff from other parts of the country because they do not have enough skilled people.

So, to decree that non-residents should not work there is tantamount to consigning the region to the lowest depths of under-development.

A more fundamental point is that the attacks by Al-Shabaab militants are intended to create fear and despondency and cause differences between communities and religions.

They seek to create the impression that there is a deep conflict between Muslims and Christians and exploit that to institutionalise hatred and violence.

By decreeing that their members should not work in Mandera and other conflict zones, the unions are implicitly promoting the Al-Shabaab ideology.

Instead of helping to write the enemy’s narrative, the massacre should embolden the resolve to crush the insurgents, beef up security, and guarantee peace and safety to all citizens irrespective of their location and station in life.