Kenya
is very vulnerable to Al-Shabaab´s terrorist enterprises.
There is the long
border with Somalia, the home base for this radical group. In addition, Kenya
has a large segment of its population with Somali ethnic roots. Many of them
are Kenyan citizens, others are refugees who ran away from decades of violent conflict,
drought and misery in Somalia. Some might feel discriminated and marginalised
but they try to cope with their situation and are only concerned by making ends
meet. They are peaceful people. A few of them can however, for clan-related
reasons, provide some cover to extremists.
That´s why a greater reliance of
people´s participation in their own security is essential. The security
services have to link better with the citizens and cultivate a relationship of
trust.
The combat against terrorist violence in Kenya calls for a new way of
collecting intelligence. That´s probably the most important step that is
required at this stage. It should however be complemented by additional
investments in counter-insurgency training and better coordination between the
defence forces and the security services.
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