Interrogating Nyumba Kumi Initiative

The government’s initiative aimed at making Kenyan neighborhoods safer should be lauded. The quite ambitious nyumba kumi plan in which people should know at least ten of their neighbors underlines how critical the government defines security. It brings to the door step of individuals to ensure their own safety through knowing a few things about their neighbors. And guided by the reality that more development is now at the hands of devolved governments, security remains what could define the success of the national government.
It could mean that the government is appreciating that it certainly cannot handle the huge task of security on its own. Certainly community policing has not worked to the expected results hence a rethink of policy.

Borrowing heavily from Tanzania, this system needs deeper thoughts. In Tanzania, it worked perfectly because of the Ujamaa or socialism policy. To them, the African saying that I am because we are and because we are so I am is well exemplified. Communities develop an interest naturally for one another and this becomes a springboard to other issues like security. For Kenya, so much leads to a pessimist blank cheque on its possible success.
First, Kenyans are heavily individualistic. The nation is wired solely on the prism of me first. Hardly does anyone create an interest in the other beyond the house. It is reflective every day you walk around and see people at best staring as others are being robbed of things. They cannot even scream to assist them but just watch and move ahead. This is reflected in other areas like jobs and normal routine stuff where injustices go unabated and those in the know take comfort that it isn’t them. Injustice anywhere, is injustice everywhere, so asserted Martin Luther King Jnr.
Secondly, the villages offer good insights. In many villages, a neighbor knows who the thieves are, night runners, witches, sorcerers and robbers. They share moments together with this knowledge including borrowing things like salt. This knowledge in no way means they feel less secure or unprotected or feel a greater urgency to spill the beans to higher authorities. So will nyumba kumi change anything in such scenarios!
Thirdly, many urban residential areas have classic reflections. In many urban areas especially low cost housing neighborhoods, thieves strike a deal with residents not to steal in neighborhoods they live. So they practice their illegal trade in other estates and establishment and come back to share the loot with the neighbors. So what will inspire a neighbor to a thief to reveal them if they lack evidence and they have not been victims. Furthermore, they partake of the loot in some way, so where and how does nyumba kumi come in!
Fourthly, it will largely depend on honesty and willingness. I can tell you and even show or give you my business card indicating where I work. At times of need, we can even go to some office somewhere and I will or can convince you that is my work station. Also, it could be a cover job to what really I do for a living. How many honest people are out here! What is the price of honesty and diligence anyway in Kenya; the dustbins.
Fifthly, police are as culpable as criminals. Hardly does any crime happen anywhere without the knowledge of the police. They are shareholders with the thieves and advice them where to go and where not to. They even delay in responding to a call from a victim to ensure by the time they get there, the robbers have left. They then get a share of it. They discard you including killing when they are tired of you, you refused to share the loot with them or contravened some agreement with them.
Sixth, why bother with the small shoplifter! Only the poor have it rough. They work hardest and are paid the least. The mighty are comfortable caressed by powers that are especially when their source of wealth is questionable. Our society celebrates grand thieves and even offers them strategic offices to ensure they continue stealing and disenfranchising the public. Voters prefer liars to truth tellers on who they give the ballot. They want money now and forget about tomorrow. The big man knows well that an empty stomach is a poor political advisor and once he recaptures the seat, ensures the poor man remains where they are as it serves his interests best. So why bother with the small ones yet those at the top drive cars that Kenyan potholes make them immune from feeling them! Is the smaller thief more important than the grand ones!
At the end of the day, it comes down to individual commitment and sacrifice. No amount of top-down approach, especially when artificially superimposed will see the light of day. A worthy effort though to make people know and like each other, period. Will it achieve the phrase, if you want to go fast go alone and if you want to go far, let’s go together! On paper it will be terrific. That’s it!!