THE FATEFUL SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT WESTLANDS – PART 1

First of all, before I start on the topic of the day, I must say that it has been a hectic semester. It has indeed been a beehive of activity for the past three months. The only things I found myself typing were term papers and numerous assignments but thank God it’s now water under the bridge. For now.At least I have three weeks to myself.

 

This is my self-given assignment. I have missed opportunities over the last couple of weeks. The Shebesh story came and went. Actually two stories to the same name. I will spare manziwaNai for now.

But I remember typing away an article on a Monday afternoon (during class time). Did I say how it backfired on me? Well, I forgot to save the document (an unforgivable deed!). I recall vividly checking for typos and suddenly the lights flickered. I lost 800 words because the PC did not have a UPS. Nature was conspiring against me maybe probably because I was doing it at the wrong time. I have moved on though…

This article is dedicated to the Westgate attack. A household name by now. I’m certain that the awful spectacle is still fresh in our minds. Allow me to focus particularly in the manner at which our ‘formidable’ security forces responded to the attack. The multi-agency operation was a total mess in more ways than one.

Before I pick a bone with our security forces, there is this individual who, by the nature of his office, was put in a very awkward and precarious position. I have always held the opinion that there are people who should be listened to and others who should simply introduce their upper lip to their lower lip and teach them how to hug very tightly every time they feel even the slightest urge to speak to the masses. You do not go on live television to contradict yourself in the manner that we saw. The person in question should avoid embarrassing himself in future. 

Concerning the “watery reasons” given to us yesterday, if Eric Kiraithe was the man in-charge of communication, he would have pulled a statement that looks a lot like the one below.

Press conference. All the microphones are jumbled by eager reporters as the spokesman prepares to deliver a speech to the nation. He clears his throat and goes like: “The boys opened thirst and they managed to recover 17 Jamesons, 6 JohnnyWalkers and 4 Jack Daniels which we believe had high concentration of ethanol that could have exploded and consequently bring with them catastrophic damage to the Westlands population. Contrary to media rumors, KDF did not carry paper bags, the paper bags were walking in the same direction as our gallant soldiers. We are also investigating the possibility that the paper bags were magnetic and could have been attracted to military gadgets. We urge the media to exercise caution and restraint when reporting on national security matters. Thank you”. 

I expected a different introduction of the military during the recent mashujaa day celebrations. Someone else on social media read my mind and came up with the following: MheshimiwaRais, wanaopitambeleyakosasaniwanajeshikutokakikosi cha 1^st WESTGATE LOOTING COMMAND wakiongozwa naLOOTenant Colonel LOOTenus wakiwa wamebeba vifurushi vya Nakumatt..Makofi kwao! Vifurushi mnavoona vilikuwa vimetumika kubebea magaidi na vinahifadhiwa katika maabara ya kitaifa

I know for sure not to utter fallacious generalizations as there are many sides of the coin but truth be told. That looting cctv footage will form the basis as to how we perceive KDF. To the few committed and disciplined soldiers, I commend your bravery and selflessness.

I’m not about to narrate the JichoPevu exposé for am aware on how our KDF spoilt the game for the RECCE squad (which is trained for special tasks including hostage rescue missions). What irks the most is how brilliantly the military invaded and tossed the operation from the frying pan into the fire. Congratulations are in order to the KDF commander who directed our gallant soldiers through those tactical operations that saw the country glued to television stations for days without end. It was a good idea to deploy 200 combatants to neutralize 4 guys. But that logic was utmost mockery! I thought the country is at war with itself. What with the grenade propeller and the heavy artillery only used in Somalia? Surely, even if I haven’t been in a class of MIL101: Introduction to hostage rescue missions, I’m sure it is not the work of the defense forces.  Those kinds of assignments are handled by Special Forces. The westgate situation did not warrant such an approach. All they managed to do is engage in friendly fire, a term used to disguise the fact that they were shooting each other instead of keeping their eyes on the ball. The terrorists.

I did some cursory web searches and stumbled on a list populated with special forces from around the world that have the honour of being the most elite and –consequently –badass!

I was told to keep my blog posts short, and I will therefore stop at that. In my next blog post, I will analyze world’s badass special forces in excruciating detail.

Good evening…