Hali tete jijini Nairobi
Kenyans feel the heat as war on terrorism begins
By Bedah Mengo and Christine Lagat
NAIROBI, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Kenyans are bracing themselves for tough times as threats of terror attack on the country's interests by Somali's al Shabaab militants hang over nation. Most Kenyans have started to feel the heat of the terror-attack threats as police intensify security and a crackdown on suspected al Shabaab sympathizers in the country.
For many Kenyans, the scenario that has started to play out, especially in Nairobi where al Shabaab vowed to bring down skyscrapers, is similar to what happened in America after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack.
Now, in Nairobi, there is loss of tranquillity and sense of security as people go about their businesses.
On the other hand, Kenyans have to endure all manner of surveillance as they walk around town, enter buildings and travel.
Authorities at various skyscrapers in the central business district in Nairobi have intensified scrutiny of both motorists and pedestrians.
Vehicles and people have to go through sensors, scanners and security checks that last for several minutes. Then, while in the buildings, cameras are there to monitor their movements.
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And as Kenya police search for suspicious elements in Eastleigh and other parts of Nairobi,
those feeling the heat more are citizens of Somali origin. "We are automatic suspects. Police suspect us for being Somali immigrants and al Shabaab sympathizers. Many Kenyan-Somalis are going to suffer during the swoops because once you are suspected, it is hard to prove that you are not an al Shabaab adherent," Adan Adow, resident of Eastleigh said on Thursday.
He said while he would be glad to see Kenya safer, the police should not use the opportunity to harass law-abiding citizens. "It is hard to differentiate between Somalis from Kenya and those from Somalia. We all look the same and each one of us has a sizeable population in Nairobi. We hope Kenyans will not be victimised," he said, adding that as the fight against al Shabaab insurgents heightens in Somalia, Kenya's journey on war on terrorism has just begun.
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