Our country and our people are under attack; it is a war we must win together

President Uhuru Kenyatta. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU |

What you need to know:

  • We will not flinch or relent in the war against terrorism in our country and our region. We shall continue to inflict painful casualties on these terrorists until we secure our country and region.
  • We ask every Kenyan to take a principled stand against the evil of terror, and to support this war. We are in this together, all the way. Innocent Kenyan lives have been lost, in a most harrowing manner, to these animals.
  • I have nominated Hon. Major General (rtd) Joseph Nkaissery as the new Cabinet secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government. I hope the National Assembly will expedite the process of his vetting and approval.

Our country and our people are under attack. A war has been waged against ALL Kenyans by an enemy hiding behind religion, and much innocent blood has been shed.

For over two decades now, Kenya has endured immense vulnerability owing to the collapse of the Somalia Government in 1991. This space became ideal for terrorists to train and plan far-reaching attacks in the region, continent, and even abroad.

From Somalia, they inflicted murder and mayhem with impunity everywhere they went.

Kenya has, by far, borne the brunt of these terrorist attacks.

In August 1998, 200 Kenyans were murdered by terrorists when they detonated a bomb at the US Embassy in Nairobi.

In November, 2002, terrorists struck in Kikambala, Kilifi County, claiming over a dozen lives. Since then, a spate of attacks and abductions have threatened our people and the economy, violated our territorial integrity and insulted our sovereignty.

More recently, there has been a series of terror attacks culminating in the violence and murder at the Westgate Mall in September last year and the murders early yesterday morning in Mandera.

These terrorist attacks have claimed the lives of more than 500 civilians and 300 security officers.

BEYOND OUR BORDERS

After decades of horror, fear, outrage and frustration, we resolved as a nation to protect our sovereignty by pursuing our enemies beyond our borders into Somalia. In October, 2011, the government authorised the Kenya Defence Forces to pursue Al-Shabaab militia into Somalia.

This decision was right then, and remains so today. The incursion in Somalia has been largely successful. Al-Shabaab is depleted and on the retreat.

All recent attacks bear the terrorists’ signature. Last week’s bus attack was accompanied by typical terrorist rhetoric. Yesterday night, a terrorist attack that would have wrought unspeakable devastation was successfully repulsed in Wajir. yesterday’s attack in Mandera targeted a soft area, leaving 36 Kenyans dead.

These attacks follow a pattern identical to the attacks on Christians in Lamu, the sporadic attacks in Mombasa, Kwale, Garissa, and Tana River. The obvious intent is to create hostility and suspicion across ethnic and religious lines and to drive non-Muslims from certain parts of this country. The ultimate aim of this atrocious campaign is to establish an extremist caliphate in our region.

A time has come for each and everyone of us to decide and choose. Are you on the side of an open, free, democratic Kenya which respects the rule of law, sanctity of life, and freedom of worship or do you stand with repressive, intolerant, and murderous extremists?

PRINCIPLED STAND

Terrorism and violent crime are grave threats to our nation. We are in a war against terrorists in and outside our country.

We will not flinch or relent in the war against terrorism in our country and our region. We shall continue to inflict painful casualties on these terrorists until we secure our country and region. Our stability and prosperity depends on a secure neighbourhood. This is our commitment.

We ask every Kenyan to take a principled stand against the evil of terror, and to support this war. We are in this together, all the way. Innocent Kenyan lives have been lost, in a most harrowing manner, to these animals.

Again, I extend condolences to the families of all Kenyans who lost their lives at the hands of terrorists. My government continues to extend support to you and we pray that God gives you His divine solace and comforts each one of you in this painful moment.

In our shock, bitterness, and outrage, many Kenyans, leaders included, have lost sight of the context of this situation and the scale of the war on terrorism. Kenya is at war.

Our enemy thrives on sowing panic and despondency in our hearts. We aid this enemy when we succumb to suspicion, fear, finger-pointing, and blame games.

UNWITTING ACCOMPLICES

Terrorists’ efforts bear fruit a hundredfold when we see things their way: with countenances of fear, anger, and despair. We become their unwitting accomplices when we doubt and we come to their aid when we shout at each other.

This is a war against Kenya and Kenyans. It is not a war against the Jubilee government or its leaders. It is a war that every one of us must fight. Our bickering only emboldens the enemy.

Our national conversation, whatever its temper, is facilitated by our media. The media must step back from being an inert funnel of sentiments, opinions, and messages and become a true mediator and honest broker of the national discourse.

The media must not allow intemperate, intolerant, divisive, alarmist, and stigmatising views.

Ideas that profile and victimise communities and individuals serve the precise aims of our enemies. Media serving as a platform for destructive and toxic interaction is dangerous for our nationhood.

I urge the media to help Kenya develop a sober, bipartisan consensus on matters of national importance, where we may confer as a national family without sacrificing our democracy, freedom of opinion, or robust debate.

NEITHER MUSLIMS NOR GODLY

Muslims are a hardworking and peaceful community. Their contribution to nation-building is indispensable. We ask you to continue standing with your country and compatriots as always and not to give in to the desires of terrorists, who may use your religion to manipulate or coerce you.

All Kenyans understand Islam to be a religion of peace because Allah is all- gracious and merciful.

Without a doubt, terrorists who claim to kill in the name of Allah are neither Muslims nor godly people, but deranged animals who have lost their souls and minds.

Stay true to your religious tradition of tolerance and respect for all people. We depend on your support in our war against violent extremism and terror.

I also want to reach out, in a special way, to county governments, and especially those whose counties border Somalia. Let us never forget that as leaders, we are all sworn to protect the sovereignty of this nation.

SOME WEAKNESSES

I remind you of your responsibility to work with the national government in keeping our country and people safe.

As President and the Commander-in-Chief of our Defence Forces, I hurt with you and grieve with you very deeply. I continuously consult and review concrete strategies to make every part of this country safe for every Kenyan.

My government has invested heavily in terms of increasing the recruitment of security personnel and improving their welfare, providing vehicles for our security services, equipping them with the hardware and technology needed to keep Kenya safe.

Despite this progress, we acknowledge some weaknesses in our security architecture. In light of this, last week, I directed my government’s security actors to engage with the members of the relevant committees of the Legislature, with a view to rectify administrative and legal hurdles that limit our ability to deal with the very real and existential threat that we face.

FURTHER ACTION
On Thursday this week, I expect a final report of their deliberations and recommendations for my consideration and further action. To this end, I have written to the National Assembly to ask them to extend their sitting until this process is concluded.

Recognising that the war on terrorism requires all of us, I also call upon other arms of government, particularly the Judiciary and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, to work with us and seal all gaps that hinder effective operations to secure the country.

As we intensify the war on terrorism, I acknowledge the thousands of our men and women in uniform. They continue to serve this nation diligently in difficult and trying circumstances. We have lost hundreds of them as they work to defend us.

VETTING AND APPROVAL

Earlier today, I held a meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, Mr David Kimaiyo, a man who has served this nation with dedication and commitment. Mr Kimaiyo offered to retire and I have accepted the retirement request.

I, therefore, take this opportunity to thank Mr Kimaiyo for his many years of service to our nation.

Further to this, I have nominated Hon. Major General (rtd) Joseph Nkaissery as the new Cabinet secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government. I hope the National Assembly will expedite the process of his vetting and approval.

I know we are all under a lot of pressure, but I appeal to each one of us. This is not the time to be cowed by the enemy.

I also call on all leaders to stand together and confront this enemy. This is a war we must win. We must win it together. In times like this, Kenyans must unite and stand for Kenya.

Thank you and God bless you.

This is part of the speech that President Uhuru Kenyatta gave in the wake of the latest terrorist attack in Mandera.