Why Kenya?

On Monday this week, there was a bomb explosion in the city center in Nairobi, Kenya. According to the scanty news coverage on it, one person was confirmed dead at the site and about 30 others injured, some of them badly. Terrorist activity is suspected. Now for most Kenyans this is a bad reminder of the 1998 American Embassy bomb blast that took the lives of an estimated 213 people and injured hundreds more - some of whom are now living with disability and pain.

I was alerted about this recent blast by a friend of mine as I was going to work – he said that he had seen some little information scrolling at the bottom of the screen during news and was wondering if I knew anything more. I had not even heard of it so I frantically went online when I got to work to look for more information. To my dismay, only the local Kenyan newspapers online and BBC Africa had any information. CNN had nothing and most of the other major American News Network did not have a mention of it.

This got me to asking myself…..why Kenya? Not that I would wish this or any other terrorist attack on any other county but it seems to me that there are bigger fish in the sea. If Kenya is not even worth a mention in the major news networks – is it because only (and I say ONLY with a cringe) 1 person died and 30 injured or is it that it is not as important as following the tiring stories of Paris Hilton’s jail escapades? Really why Kenya? I do not purport myself to be knowledgeable in the political playing field – international or otherwise, so these are just straws in the dark here. Could it be that Kenya is an easy target because of lax security? Could it be that Kenyans are so busy dealing with domestic problems that they have no time deal with perceived threats? Could it be because of American interests in Kenya or the fact that Kenya is Israel friendly? Could it be because of militant Islamic group presence or even that there may be an Al Qaeda cell….and if so I ask again why would they choose Kenya?

I have come up with some reasons why NOT to attack Kenya. I would like to present this to whoever who would even think of it…..
1. If publicity is your aim, you will not get the media coverage that you desire – case in point, the last attack.
2. The average Kenyan is a hard working person whose main concern is to get their basic needs. Most Kenyans are trying to eke out a living….let’s not even talk of the poverty levels. The suffering of these poor people will not cause any international outcry and therefore will be of no aid to you or your evil cause in anyway.
3. There are no resources to fight for or gain. The best resource that Kenya has is its people…..and for that I will refer you to #2 above.
4. Kenya has enough political issues of its own- what with Mungiki killings and political campaign issues. Yours will only be one more pain and suffering but not of beneficial consequence to you.
5. Kenya politicians only understand the rules of personal gain. Right now they are busy trying to get back into the arena of “who can tell the best lies to get the peoples’ vote” - they will not be of help to you.

My advice to you - If you have a statement to make, then find another way to make it and leave Kenya alone!