Is State showing signs of violent extremism?

By the time you read this, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will have come to Kenya and gone.

The purpose and focus of his visit most probably was the war on terrorism and the groups invited to meet him are involved in countering violent extremism.

Kenyans are only too aware of the devastation that a few crazed individuals can do in the name of a perverted ideology. The horrors of the US embassy, Westgate and Garissa University College attacks are still fresh in our memories.

Although the threats have greatly reduced, it would be unwise to let our guards down.

However, it would appear that the tactics employed to fight Al-Shabaab have led to exceptional powers being granted to the Anti Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) with regard to disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

POLICE

In turn, these same powers of summary execution and illegality have been passed down to regular police and to particular units within the force.

Put another way, the so called war on terrorism has led to an increase in attacks and killings of petty criminals, political protestors and innocent civilians while the State justifies these extrajudicial killings on the grounds that it is at war with dangerous terrorist elements.

The post-election killings and slaughter of suspects have led many to conclude that you are more likely to be killed by a police officer than a robber.

In other words, the consistency with which the State kills its citizens with impunity has left a huge percentage of the population believing that violent extremism is more likely to come from the State than from any group of terrorists.

JUDICIARY

The State has informally declared war on any sector that challenges its view of reality and model of governance and that includes media houses whose most popular staff have recently been sacked on orders from State House.

The disregard for the rule of law with regards to shutting down TV stations, ignoring court orders and the onslaught on the Judiciary has alienated many and become a breeding ground for the emergence of new homegrown groups who feel they do not belong in Kenya nor have a share in either its prosperity or its destiny.

Since last year’s ballot, Jubilee has acted aggressively, belligerently and frequently violently against the political opposition, civil society and media houses.

Democracy is in shambles and civic space closing by the day bolstered by the silence and acquiescence of Western diplomats.

LEADERSHIP
If Jubilee had doubts about its popularity or legitimacy, it could have at least been smart enough to reach out to its opponents instead of pursuing the path of retribution.

Nelson Mandela’s approach to dealing with the Apartheid system upon release in 1990 was “we have to surprise them with compassion, restraint and generosity”.

This requires leadership that is capable of rising above history and pettiness, a leadership clearly lacking here.

Extremism emerges and flourishes when whole sectors feel they don’t have a voice, that they don’t belong and lack a sense of ownership of the country.

Jubilee gives the impression that they own Kenya and that the rest are just renters, aliens or transients. That is what breeds extremism. Be warned.

Fr Dolan is a Catholic priest based in Mombasa. [email protected] @GabrielDolan1