A little over three years ago, Kenya’s leading telecommunication company Safaricom got a beefy contract from the government to set up the Integrated, Control, and Communication Center. A cutting-edge system made up of high definition CCTV cameras covering the streets of the capital Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa, which is a top tourist destination.
Well, on Tuesday, January 14, a group of four terrorists linked to the al-Shabaab Islamic militants operating out of Somalia conducted a terror attack at a hotel and business complex Dusit at Riverside Drive. The cowardly attack left at least 21 people dead, and many other nursing both physical and psychological wounds.
It appears there was no intelligence that had wind of an impending attack at the Dusit Riverside Drive. To put things plainly, the law enforcement and intelligence agency were all caught by surprise. Though we have to commend them for the professional and speedy measure they took to secure people trapped at Dusit hiding from the terrorist, and the manner they diffused the situation.
Be that as it may, many Kenyans are wondering if, at all the Integrated, Control, and Communication Center installed by Safaricom is really working. If it were, there should be a least footage that caught the terrorist making their way in their car towards Dusit. Since there is no footage – none whatsoever – Kenyans on Twitter put to task Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore to explain.
Put in mind the Integrated, Control, and Communication Center was set up at a cost of Ksh15 billion ($148 million). This conversation was sparked off on Twitter by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo and the rest of Kenyans on Twitter (KoT) joined in. Below is a snippet of how that conversation took place on Twitter:
Very well observed, we installed them for a great security purpose but nothing doing.
— Wa Murigu (@wmurigu) January 19, 2019
Hizo vitu are part of city beatification
— Martin Muriithi (@MartinMuriithi4) January 19, 2019
Pretty sure they don’t work,it’s conduit of thievery…
— Gallen Arap Salat (@ArapSalatG) January 19, 2019
You are sure the cameras are working? Maybe we start there
— Nyash (@Nyash73275003) January 20, 2019
We have poured collossal sum of money on cctv cameras and its quite important to understand how these kriminals gained their entry into Nairobi
— Kifaranga wacomputa (@cossy80) January 19, 2019
yeap they should tell us the way terrorist used to reach Dusit Hot
— Caroline (@Carolmuendo5o) January 19, 2019
Not unless it’s a lorry, a probox or a matatu and they know they will receive a bribe after harassing the driver.
— R O B E R T O…✍ (@robertongugy) January 19, 2019
On this I concur counsel, we need to know what is the value of our money used in putting up all those cameras….or are they just ornamental
— Nancy Kilonzo (@Nkilonzo1) January 19, 2019
Security people are not wont to issue press releases in the midst of investigations. That they are silent doesn’t mean CCTV cameras haven’t been helpful.
CCTV cameras have come in handy lots of (unreported) times.
— Kariûki (@fkariuki) January 20, 2019
Am glad this time the response was far much better.
Your observation is timely, security organs should be put into task as well.— Victoria Odipo (@vickyodipo) January 20, 2019