THE PRIMATE of Kenya, Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi, has urged the government to suppress the brutal criminal gangs that have seized de facto control of the shanty towns surrounding Nairobi, but cautioned that a violent government response could exacerbate the “Mungiki” menace.
“As a nation, we reaffirm the dignity and sanctity of life of even law breakers and grieve at any violent loss of life,” Archbishop Nzimbi said in an address to the Kenyan House of Bishops on June 29 at All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi.
How do you suppress “brutal criminal gangs” that have seized control of entire towns all the while being cautioned “that a violent government response could exacerbate” the situation? Does Nzimbi want the police/army to say “please” or “pretty please” without the use of actual force? Perhaps Nzimbi should invite these criminal gangs into his household to amicably discuss how they should turn from their ways.
No one wants a government massacre of civilians but the use of violence may be necessary to quelch these gang activities.
To suppress brutal criminal gangs, you must be willing to use force.