This is total surrender

Any pretence by the authorities that the activities of al-Shabaab militia have not profoundly affected Kenyans and the way they live should be debunked, judging from the sense of insecurity that has engulfed those who live on border areas.

This situation seems to be so bad that, according to reports, at least 261 Certificate of Primary Education examination candidates in 11 schools will have to be moved from the border areas in Mandera County to the town for their own safety.

This is because Mandera borders al-Shabaab infested Somalia, and considering the frequency of attacks from extremists, there is no guarantee the pupils can sit their exams in any comfort.

This is a great shame. According to area leaders, security from the outlying areas was withdrawn due to sporadic incursions by the bandits who targeted police posts and killed many officers.

In other words, the government caved in to threats from al-Shabaab and moved all the officers to urban centres, leaving rural areas unprotected.

The primary duty of any government is to protect its people. Making ad hoc decisions to shift vulnerable groups to towns is not the solution. Beefing up security certainly is.