National Strategy: Statehouse Answers This Writer’s Concerns

We Need Firm Protection from Mobile Phone Threats

One of the foremost concepts of entrepreneurship is that for every opportunity, there is a threat. Likewise for every threat, there is an opportunity. This cannot be demonstrated better than the current upsurge in threats to life and property that is now continually being experienced by innocent Kenyans, through the mobile phone.

This mobile has revolutionalized not only the way we communicate with our loved ones but also the way we do business. To that extent, the mobile phone has become a necessity in our lives.  Unfortunately, the other side of the coin is not good news for the majority. The main problem however is the extent to which the mobile is used negatively.

This telecommunication gadget has in fact become a tool of terror and extortion.  It has particularly provided a save avenue for Kenyan criminals and buries who derive pleasure in creating unwarranted fear to fellow citizens and residents as well.  This situation may sadly continue to escalate all the more, especially with reduced prices of these mobile phones. Notably, duty on the same was reduced through the recently presented budget for 2009/10.

As you read this piece, an assistant minister is in great fear having been threatened with harm that may even be extended to her immediate family, as has been reported in the media. Even this writer has not been spared. In the last two weeks or so, he has been receiving serious threats to his life through text messages as well as anonymous mobile telephone calls. Probably this has resulted from his firm stand on topical issues that are bedeviling the Kenyan Society. His dislike and outspokenness on poor leadership in whatever situation as well as escalation of negative behaviors, which develop into fully entrenched cultures is also not a secret and could also form a basis of the threats.

 Sadly, those who threaten others through anonymous calls and short messages pose as if they are adherents of sometimes ruthless underground movements such as Mungiki, Sabaots Kamjesh and others whose activities are well in the public domain. Of course, the said groups are sometimes innocent but only used by crooked Kenyans for reasons which include evening-out scores arising out of disagreements occurring even in social forums. But for how long should these mobile phones be used to terrorize Kenyans?

All efforts should be put in place to alleviate the situation. The mobile telecommunications firms especially should from now on be held accountable for misuse of the mobile phones either through anonymous short messages or telephone calls. In fact, when mobile phones and lines used to be acquired at a price of 6 digits, all mobile phone owners in this country were known by their full identities. There would be hardly any opportunities of threats or harassments of whatever kind. The caller would in any case get to be known almost immediately.

Admittedly, the situation has over the years changed to that of mass sales, especially with the advent of continued liberalization of the telecommunications sector. The process of acquiring a mobile telephone line is just too liberal. Even criminals who are supposed to be undergoing rehabilitation in jails own mobile phones these days. Likewise, children requiring parental guidance on ownership and usage of the phones have nothing preventing them from exercising the free for all right of owning the mobile phone. It is no wonder then that social moral standards continue deteriorating by the day.

The Government needs to now take a whip to effectively ensure all owners of mobile phones are known by their full identities. It may not be necessary for the government to seek legislative mandate when many of its nationals are living in fear of death, threats and extortions. Each Mobile phone company should have the full data bank of all their subscribers. Underage children on the other hand should only acquire mobile phones with the full knowledge and support of their parents especially with regard to identification. It is the parents who will therefore be answerable for the children’s misdeeds. This may by coincidence encourage and therefore lead to a higher degree of parentage than has been the case.

 Meanwhile, the mobile phone companies will not be doing Kenyans any favours. They have a social responsibility of safeguarding the masses from an errant few. The companies should no longer therefore assume a right to doing business at whatever risk to Kenyans.  As a beginning, the companies need to give some time frame within which Kenyans should register all their existing lines. After expiry of this time, all unregistered lines will need to be initially blocked from communicating and eventually disconnected if still not compliant.

These measures will not only reduce the levels of continuing crime but also unwarranted threats to peace loving Kenyans. The Government and the mobile phone companies indeed owe Kenyans a duty of protection from unwarranted threats aimed at destabilizing their peace.

Mwangi Wanjumbi is the Managing Consultant and Chief Trainer of Newtimes Business Solutions

NOO
About two weeks since dispatching the piece to the daily press (on 26th June 2009), the Head of State ordered Mobile Phone firms to immediately register all their subscribers. Notably, I have not seen this piece published in the media or have you?

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