Security must be on agenda, but can we discuss what this really entails?

Security must top the agenda in any meeting with President Barack Obama. But how do we understand security and what kind of support do we need from the US?

For a start, we know that the US notion of counter-terrorism has been behind human rights abuses and has provided justification for authoritarian regimes to gag populations and instil fear. Though President Obama has rhetorically undermined the dictatorial Bush-era counter-terrorism logic, abuses perpetrated in the name of counter-terrorism persist and Kenyans have repeatedly been victims.

We understand from Benjamin Franklin that “Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.” Yet the choice between freedom and security is what Kenyans face every day.

RE-TRAINING

This poses a dilemma in how we conduct politics and live our lives. Kenyans want to enjoy the freedoms they earned following the gallant struggle for democracy, but they also expect to do so in secure neighbourhoods. They do not see a contradiction between the two, but the government makes them feel every day that security and human rights cannot co-exist.

To ensure a human rights-sensitive security system, there is logic in re-training security agents and creating synergies with judicial officers. Second, we need to grow police-community relations by disaggregating any forms of support to ensure that both state and non-state institutions are facilitated to pursue their complementary security mandates.

We also must demystify the assumption that only the state can provide security and that policing is synonymous with secrecy. These assumptions have allowed corruption to piggyback on secrecy in security procurement. Even terrorism takes advantage of the corrupt networks within the security system.

COMMUNITY SYSTEMS

Partnership between security agents and the broader society is a better approach to security. If, as President Obama argued recently, dealing with the challenges of the US criminal justice system must start within the community, so, too, must Kenya’s security strategy find a home in the communities. However, we need community systems of policing that embed genuine partnership and that create ownership for security provision within communities.

The devolved system of governance provides a framework for community-based approach to security. Though security is a national government function, many aspects of the devolved system impact security provision in significant ways and can be bilaterally supported within existing arrangements. Priority must be counties, especially those that have experienced historical neglect, marginalisation and exclusion; places where threats of radicalisation and violent extremism seem greater.

Infrastructure development and education are useful entry points for security in communities. Investment in infrastructure deals directly with security threats that are consequences of neglect. This is happening in some counties in northeastern Kenya, where the mileage of tarmacked roads increased with the establishment of county governments.

The increase is essential for mobility of both security agents as well as movement of people and goods. Movement creates a sense of belonging to the larger nation. No amount of physical presence of police can create this belonging.

Similarly, an education system that enhances the skillset of young people gives hope for a decent livelihood and directs energies to productive aspects of society is a security gain.

Counties need support to facilitate this. President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative is a good initiative, but it does not target this category of the young, and youth who are still in their formative stages are impressionistic and susceptible to radicalisation.

County-level education initiatives are a sure way of addressing local challenges. It also ensures that the differences between regions are dealt with. While this is not a direct security intervention, if targeted to regions where threats of radicalisation are serious, it will undermine the prospects of terror agents succeeding.

Godwin Murunga is senior research fellow, Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi. [email protected]