Truer words have not been spoken since George Orwell said that “good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” Most people hardly worry about anything when they know the watchmen are keeping guard at night, even if they don’t know their names or register their faces. After all, their constant rotation makes this a passable excuse. Most of us are hardly aware of the behind the scenes machinations it takes to have someone keeping watch every day and night. We take it for granted and as we pay for the service, we feel entitled. On a bigger scale, we have all these thoughts and opinions about the security professionals in Kenya and are especially not fond of the traffic cops whose notoriety in spoiling motorists’ days and collecting bribes knows no limits. But when there is an accident and the other motorist is being difficult who do we call? Who do we expect to help us get it sorted out? Who do we call whenever there is a break in, assault, death, incident, fight, dispute, violation of any sort? Who takes bodies from an accident scene to the mortuary? Who can help trace your stolen phone? Who has been in Somalia for all these years fighting Al-Shabab? Who was in Kapedo? Who has to deal with bandits for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Who is expected to know how to detonate a bomb at a moment’s notice? Who should be keeping up with terror actors and foil terrorist attacks before they happen? Who is expected to risk their lives and infiltrate terror networks for years in order to eventually disrupt said networks? Who is expected to run into a dangerous situation and save lives with no regard for their own safety? The list is endless, yet we barely acknowledge the important role that the security apparatus plays in our collective lives. Granted there are many bad apples that give the whole unit a bad name but imagine what anarchy would descend on the country if they were to down their tools for whatever reason. Like for real! CHAOS!!!
On behalf of all Kenyans and all who are domiciled herein, we appreciate all the hours, sacrifices, time away from your families, bravery, commitment to skill and craft, discipline, dedication, loyalty and so much more that you give in the course of carrying out your duties.
There is a lot of thought and work that goes into keeping the country safe, the many players in the security sector all expend their energies synergistically to ensure that the integrity of Kenyan borders are maintained and all her citizens are safe. There are many threats to the security of the nation and the ever-evolving threat of terrorism is no exception. The work of preventing and countering violent extremism (PCVE) is such a complex, multi-dimensional, enormous and unpredictable endeavor, but yet it must be done. Not only must it be done, it is being done round the clock by valiant, dedicated men and women of honour because as President Ronald Reagan once said, “evil is powerless if the good are unafraid.”
The face of PCVE is currently a multi-agency outfit that works tirelessly to help protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring and investigating terrorist activity. The faceless police officers, probation officers, lawyers, cleaners, analysts, librarians, cooks, engineers, drivers, accountants, tacticians, researchers, intelligence officers, administrators, psychologists and all the other required personnel put in the work daily to make the behemoth PCVE machine run seamlessly with little regard for their own personal ease, comfort, and safety. It is such a selfless and noble undertaking that is rarely appreciated or even acknowledged, granted that they work for a cause and not for applause.
It is prudent first of all to appreciate and honour the memory of the men and women that have lost their lives in the line of duty defending the country. On behalf of all Kenyans and all who are domiciled herein, we appreciate all the hours, sacrifices, time away from your families, bravery, commitment to skill and craft, discipline, dedication, loyalty and so much more that you give in the course of carrying out your duties. Soldier on with the good work. We may not say it enough, but we see you, we celebrate you and most importantly we honour you. Asanteni sana!
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