I have just read the Daily Nation story about a crime gang (Gaza), based in Kayole that has in its ranks even 14 year old girls stabbing grown men to death. And this is the tip of the ice-berg.

I cant help but think that our political leaders over the years are to blame.

1. They created a culture where stealing from public coffers is acceptable: Goldenberg, Anglo-Fleecing, Railway Tender etc. This goes way back to the 1970s

1b. Politicians enrich themselves with obscene salaries and other perks. Think about the lavish palace built for the Veep.

2. This creates a scenario where every public official and almost every Kenyan starts to feel like they too must get in on the action and steal. So everyone from policemen to clerks to everyone else is now a thief. Even sports officials loot gate receipts with abandon

3. When Junior police officers see their senior officials getting rich off crooked deals, they too want in on the action. And thus the police have now been infiltrated by criminal gangs.

4. The youth have also taken their cue from political leaders and public officials and have now gone into crime with abandon. Their logic is that : If political leaders can steal then why cant we ? And make no mistake those lavish salaries and perks are pure robbery in the eyes of the youth.

So the youth are now making life miserable for the average Nairobian.

4b. Its just a matter of time before gangs like Gaza spread from Kayole into middle class areas. So dont make the mistake of sitting comfortably because you libe far from Kayole. Gaza is coming to a place near you soon.

Some of the money politicians stole could have been used in job creation or for providing free secondary education. Many of these young thugs are droputs. Some of the money could also have been used to create programs to keep the youth busy and away from crime. That shoot to kill business is not the only solution.

The choices Kenyans make are coming back to bite them. If Kenyans voted based on issues like security and corruption politicians would pay attention to these issues and address them. But since getting tribal numbers is the key to winning Kenyan elections, we have shot our own foot.

Also the crime rate is due to the impossibly high youth unemployment rate which is now at 60% and rising.

If we forced our politicians to pay attention to the jobless rate and fix it and if we elected only officials whose focus was job creation, instead of focusing on tribal numbers , the crime rate would be much lower.

I love twitter...one sentence and cant accept more...

Sawa. Tumekupata boss.

@Alba, this security or lack of it debate has been going on and according to some connected quarters in wazua, you (as an individual) is to blame. Why? Because it is your responsibility to act when you feel threatened. Tafakari hayo!

Those individuals who say that are making excuses. The government is responsible for providing security. Individual citizens cannot. As someone pointed out in another thread, if you are being mugged or carjacked don't try to be a hero. Just empty your pockets.

What citizens are supposed to do is vote for leaders who address their issues. Kenyans have failed in that regard. And these are the consequences.