The following two pieces articulate different lenses into the lead up and aftermath of the Garissa Attacks in Kenya. Carine Umutoniwase discusses interfaith efforts to prevent the solidification of religious violence while David Zarembka explains the militarization of Kenya and the problematic policies of the region. Through these different perspectives, Zarembka and Umutoniwase contribute to understanding the complexity of “radicalization” and obstacles to peace in the region.
“Kenya’s Garissa Attack Wasn’t Just a Tragedy. It Was Blowback.”
(by David Zarembka, Coordinator of the African Great Lakes Initiative of the Friends Peace Teams)
Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations Pubic Forum
Garissa Attack: Exploring Space for Social Engagement and Strategic Responses
by Carine Umutoniwase
It was a dark day in the wee hours of the morning in Garissa. The time was 5.30 am on the 2nd of April, not to be mistaken for an April fools prank. “The Boys” carried out one of the bloodiest attacks on Kenyan soil ever, since the American Embassy incident in 1998, against innocent leaders of tomorrow. The count still baffles many to date; a cowardly act against some in their sleep and others in prayer; victims of an act of terror. Despite prior warning and due to the distance to an army barracks, the security forces still arrived at the scene of the crime a little too late, 147 souls lost – a mistaken sign of victory for the militants. The Garissa attack on university students permanently scarred a country still trying to piece together events that have occurred over the past few years since the pro-government insurgency of KDF into Somali in an operation dubbed “Operation Linda Nchi” – Swahili for “protect the country”. Westgate, Gikomba, Mandera, and Kasarani are but a few in what has turned into a violent killing ground for Al-Shabaab militants. Regardless, government officials continue to echo their support for “Operation Linda Nchi,” each time emphasizing the significance of territorial sovereignty. Kenya has lost scores of people in criminal terror attacks that have left the country traumatized and on the verge of religious division due to the mistrust that keeps growing like a crack on the earth’s surface threatening to unleash a deadly earthquake. Overtime, responses from Kenya have ranged from security operations such as “Operation Usalama Watch”, “Nyumba Kumi Initiative”, and legislation on anti-terrorism, as well as shutting down several mosques on the Coast with the aim of countering radicalization and violent extremism as part of its strategic responses.
As agitation grows within the Kenyan society over the government’s failure to fulfill its primal goal of security, Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations held a public forum on 8th May 2015 on the theme “Garissa Attack: Exploring Space for Social Engagement and Strategic Responses”. The guest speakers featured the Prof. PLO Lumumba (Director of Kenya School of Law and advocate at Kenya/Tanzania High Court), Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome (a Muslim scholar and advocate at the Kenya High Court) and NPI-Africa’s Researcher and Coordinator on Research, Learning and Policy Programme, Mr. Nahashon Kariuki. The session was moderated by Ms. Florence Mpaayei (Senior Advisor, Peace Practice, HIPSIR). Two questions loomed in the minds of most attendees: What is next for Kenya and its people? What can I do?
The need to address the push and pull factors of radicalization was emphasized as key to countering violent extremism in the country. The forum highlighted that Islam is being used as a tool – a means to an end. It is a religion that has been infiltrated by fanatics forgetting that nothing justifies violence let alone a religion of peace. Muslim leaders have continued to cautiously distance themselves from this phenomenon. They have laid emphasis on the need for calm and religious harmony reiterating that Islam is a religion of peace. The solution lies in the battle of the minds and hearts of those vulnerable to radicalization.
The need to appreciate the magnitude of the problem (terrorism) was emphasized coupled by a call for strategic interventions to address factors that foster radicalization among the youth. Christians in Kenya were commended for their patience in not retaliating despite the numerous attacks and aggravation that threaten interreligious harmony in the country. It was important though to maintain this resilience and not adopt the “3rd cheek theory”. Christian leaders have continuously called for peace in these trying times as interreligious harmony hangs in the balance. The blame game will simply not do, rather synchronization and genuine social engagement between stakeholders (government, religious leaders and wananchi) in the fight against these criminal acts. Christians and Muslims need to transcend the differences in their religions and work on strengthening their interaction, be they political or socioeconomic.
There is need for intellectual awakening in addressing this issue as radicalization threatens to antagonize the Kenyan mass. Statistics fail to show the amount of suffering behind every number which bears a face, a family and friends among other relations. We need to break out of our comfort zones as terror attacks are preemptive in nature and relentlessly search for a realistic solution to this problem. There is a need to tackle terrorism with sensitivity instead of blaming and demanding answers from the Muslim Clerics or the government, who are also often targeted. Everybody is a victim of terrorism, and therefore everyone must act. The solution may not be right around the curb but victory against these criminal acts will be defined by the creation of a sustained path for the search of solutions characterized by proactive counter-terrorism strategies and preventive measures to protect the masses. Success should be measured on the count of what has not happened and the ripe time to act is before radicalization and the intended attack. Interdependence in the Kenyan society should be sought after, not as a naïve aspiration but rather an inescapable reaction that can increase national unity. A lasting solution could be found in the guidance of pragmatic leadership and the development of a common social identity in Kenya that surpasses religious and ethnic lines.
The fact is that we will have other Garissas, hence the task lies in trying to prevent them. The victor will be he who wins the minds and hearts of those involved. A magic solution lies in the way in which we interact with our young men and women who form a pool of recruitment for these criminals and conmen. However, we should not be clouded by thought of us only dealing with terror groups as there are many more criminal organizations emerging and engaging in antisocial activities that cause insecurity problems in the country.
It is clear that the solution lies in instilling values in the young as radicalization starts at an early age. Interdependence through the creation of a common socio-economic identity based on pragmatic leadership and a genuine fight against corruption will go a long way in developing sustainable peace thus deterring terrorism and politicized violence. After all these problems are social constructs that can be averted or changed for common good. Whether Christian or Muslim we all share a common identity of being Kenyan and we owe it to our land to maintain peace.
Carine Umutoniwase is a youth activist and a second year student at Hekima University College – Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Born in Rwanda and raised in Kenya she chooses to identify herself as an African in line with her belief of a united Africa where everybody is their brother’s keeper regardless of their nationality. Currently she consults as a researcher on part time basis. In addition, she is the Executive Director of Footprints for Change, a start-up organization that calls for accountable leadership in the society and seeks the socio-economic and political transformation of not only Kenya but Africa as a whole. Carine hopes to give back to the continent by safeguarding its future generations from the vices that have curtailed its growth.