An ant went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of drowning. A dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her.
The ant climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank. Shortly afterwards a birdcatcher came and stood under the tree, and laid his lime twigs for the dove, which sat in the branches. The ant, perceiving his design, stung him in the foot. In pain, the bird catcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the dove take wing.
The scenes outside the Directorate of Criminal Investigations when former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga was arrested were disturbing for most Kenyans. The chants by the youths reminded Kenyans of days when the outlawed gang would terrorise them day in, day out.
In recent times, Kenya has witnessed a disturbing resurgence of the infamous criminal organisation known as Mungiki. This criminal group, which was previously thought to be largely dismantled, seems to be re-emerging with renewed vigour, posing a significant threat to the peace, security and well-being of Kenyans.
The resurgence of Mungiki should be a matter of great concern for all citizens and the government alike, as it undermines the progress made in combating organised crime and jeopardises the nation's stability.
Mungiki has a long and brutal history of violence and criminal activities. Initially emerging as a cultural and religious movement in the 1980s, the group evolved into a criminal organisation involved in extortion, drug trafficking, human trafficking and other heinous crimes.
Any form of the revival of Mungiki would indicate the revival of these criminal activities, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among Kenyans. Thus, the resurgence of Mungiki poses a significant threat to public safety.
The group's modus operandi involves using extreme violence and intimidation to control territories, extort money from businesses and exert influence over communities. Kenyans, particularly those residing in areas where Mungiki operates, face the risk of becoming victims of their criminal activities.
Therefore, the resurgence of this group jeopardises the hard-earned peace and security of Kenyan citizens, impeding progress and development.
Mungiki has historically been associated with political manipulation and ethnic tensions. The group has been known to exploit ethnic divisions, which are already a sensitive issue in Kenya, to further their criminal interests.
By aligning themselves with politicians or political parties, Mungiki can be used as a tool to intimidate opponents, disrupt elections and fuel inter-ethnic conflicts. This not only undermines the democratic process but also exacerbates societal divisions, hindering national cohesion.
The resurgence of Mungiki has severe economic implications for Kenyans. The criminal activities of the group hamper economic growth, as businesses and individuals are forced to pay protection fees or suffer from extortion and disruption.
Moreover, Mungiki's involvement in illicit activities such as drug trafficking can damage Kenya's international reputation, impacting tourism, foreign investment, and trade. The presence of such criminal organisations deters investors, stifles economic progress and ultimately, affects the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.
The resurgence of Mungiki would also undermine the rule of law and erode public trust in the justice system. Despite efforts to dismantle the group in the past, its ability to reorganise and regain strength raises concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement and the Judiciary.
If Kenyans perceive that the government is unable to tackle criminal organisations like Mungiki, it erodes confidence in state institutions and can lead to vigilantism or an erosion of the social contract between citizens and the state.
The government must ensure that there is no environment that can give room for Mungiki or any other criminal grouping to thrive. We cannot allow uncontrolled groups to take over and take control in a manner that endangers the peaceful living of Kenyans.
Young people must also ensure that they are not drawn into criminal gangs as has happened in the past. It is important for young people to know that we all have a duty to operate within the confines of the law.
