I will tell you what makes my day. Reading a headline and saying to myself, my readers saw that coming weeks or even months ago. Am happy to report that that has been happening a lot in recent days… A LOT.
An armed drone in flight and headed to a target.
Even more interesting are currently unfolding events that back up the contents of the most sensitive book I have ever penned, Chilling Westgate Secrets Revealed that unravels the complexity of the truth behind that most terrifying terrorist attack in Kenyan history. The following events will make plenty of sense to those who have read the book which unfortunately is no longer available; you just have to find somebody who purchased it when it was available.
• The Americans have really stepped up efforts to get to the overall leader of al Shabaab Ahmed Abdi Godane. A devastating drone attack late Sunday hit a target deep in the southwestern port in Somalia, called Barawe and it is still not clear whether or not the al Shabaab supremo who was the main target was killed or got away yet again. The US military have told the media that they are still assessing the results of that particular attack.
• Top commanders of al Shabaab including Godane met only last week for an emergency meeting after Ethiopia formally joined AMISOM in Somalia. That is the international force that includes KDF soldiers. Interestingly it is widely believed that many drone attacks against the al Shabaab are being launched using bases in Ethiopia.
What are drones, some people have been asking? These are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A drone is in fact an aircraft without a human pilot on board. It is important to remember that although they are unmanned, they are not un-piloted - trained crew at base steer the craft, analyze the images which the cameras send back and act on what they see.
In most cases, just like an aircraft it drops its’ load and returns to base.
Less known by most is a drones’ use in surveillance operations where it provides troops with a 24-hour "eye in the sky", seven days a week. A drone can stay aloft for up to 17 hours at a time, loitering over an area and sending back real-time imagery of activities on the ground.
A curious report appeared in the Reuters website last year where it was reported that Kenya had admitted that it was using its’ own drones to launch attacks against militants in Somalia. Believable except for one tiny detail. A single drone costs in the region of $12.5 million. That would make a major dent on the entire defence budget in the banana republic with just a small fleet wiping out the whole defence kitty. If Kenya indeed has them then all I can say is that this was quite a donation. These Americans really don’t spare any expense in ensuring the safety of their nationals and most Kenyans would be wishing that the GOK borrow a leaf here and address the unacceptable living in fear that is the norm for most Kenyans these days.
GOK aka the so called designated guardians of our disunited banana of a republic will never take a leaf nor borrow a page from how well organized other committed nations that go an extra mile or bend over backwards to protect their citizens and safeguard their national interests by all means.
ReplyDeleteSadly, it doesn't matter how many bodies pile up in the urban streets and rural areas of the country, because the only response that ever comes from the powers that be is the release of routine stale press releases, and making of promises that are never ever fulfilled.
As for the senior cops, they have perfected the art of showing up at every major crime scene in the city and around the country in order to be seen and heard talking to the media, while dressed in ill-fitting uniforms and carrying awkward looking little black sticks under their armpits.
Kenyans will continue to live under constant fear, uncertainty, insecurity and at the mercy of organized criminals and thugs, because those who are entrusted with protecting the public 24/7, have been incompetent, and continue to misuse their office, abuse their office, and have in the process compromised their office, the whole police force and public safety.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteKenya does not have drones, nor does it operate any single one of them that may have been seen or spotted cruising the skies above the country.
The haliaeetus vocfers are owned and manned by the powerful nations that have developed mighty navy warships that sail in the Indian Ocean.
The only thing Kenya has done, is issue their quests with unlimited permission to use the nation's air space as necessary whenever and wherever security issues are concerned.
Kenya government can not be entrusted nor trusted with such sensitive military technology, unless the Chinese 'friends' may have turned a blind eye and agreed to loan them one of the very old version models for the use of surveying oil prospecting activities in the northern region of the country.
Good riddance if fulani in question may have been smoked by a hellfire or deleted by a drone. Those who bring too much attention to themselves for all the insidious reasons end up attracting concentrated heat and other consequences wherever they are. Good riddance.
ReplyDeleteWhile talking of drones that are about to invade - or have already started invading - Kenya's air space, the under mentioned article is worth noticing because who knows what kind of surprises are bound to hit the general public with a rude awakening soon or later.
ReplyDeleteOr how certain aspects of people's lives will be controlled, dictated and governed by the use of drones.
Including the manner in which security issues in the country will be conducted in a few years from 2014.
There is not a question about the possibility of beneficial as well as nasty surprises that are awaiting the general public by the time 2019, 2013 or 2016 usher themselves onto the main stage of everyday life.
Strict curbs on drones advance.
California would establish what supporters say are some of the nation's strictest standards for the use of drone aircraft by government entities, under a bill approved Wednesday by the state Assembly.
The measure would require law enforcement agencies to obtain warrants except in certain emergencies.
It also would require that government agencies notify the public when they intend to use drones and that data collected by unmanned aircraft be destroyed within six months.
Public agencies would be prohibited from arming their drones. The measure passed 59 to 5, and it now goes to the Senate.
"The future of aviation is unmanned" said Assemblyman Jeff Gorell, an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve who said he is familiar with drones from a tour in Afghanistan.
The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that more than 30,000 drones will be flying over the United States within the next two decades. - Associated Press.
[THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014].
The eye in the sky or the haliaeetus vocifers - unmanned aerial vehicles - as they are known by certain segment of the population on the African continent, are not yet owned, manned and used by special entities of the Kenya government.
ReplyDeleteFew, if any, do not know that it will take another decade or two for Kenya to upgrade its very old fleet of F-5Es, F-5Fs and real mitumba F-5EMs from Jordan (of all countries) to a better fleet.
By all accounts, it would be most remarkable to hear the much awaited good news that Kenya owns and operates its drones in one way or another.
So far, GOK has yet to procure computer systems, let alone have a compatibility of computer systems and capability to operate unmanned aerial vehicles.
All things to do with UAVs taken into account, a command post for tactical control of drones or dispatch center for the same are nonexistent, nor owned by the MOD or DOD.
The only exception are the mobile dispatch centers that are owned and utilized by the British forces while they are their carrying out their usual training exercises on Kenyan soil.
Kenya's northern neighbours - Ethiopia - are said to own several UAVs for use by the country's air force and army.
Anyway, what became of the Kenya's ancient 'signal corps'? Were they ever upgraded with times and domestic needs of KDF?
Are some of us warming up to the possibility or idea that one day - ten years from now - drones will become a way of life throughout the skies above Kenya, and rest of East?
ReplyDeleteIs Kenya a fertile ground for the usage or deployment for such aerial systems? Or will wazungu and other foreign entities take advantage of the opportunity at the expense of ordinary Kenyans?
The weight of all the constructive forces that will be involved with unmanned aerial vehicles may go a long way in helping development efforts within the Kenya Wild Service, traffic police department, customs and border control, forestry, agriculture, transportation, among others within the public and private sectors.
Time will tell more about the pros and cons of having drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteHayo mambo na kasumba ya 'Falcon Project' isikubaliwe kamwe kutekelezwa nchini Kenya. The country and people will have to get their priorities squared out, or else Kenya will end up being used as test fields and laboratories for the exclusive benefit of foreign individuals, institutions, et al.
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140206-can-drones-be-hacked
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/27/drone-drops-contraband-georgia-prison-yard/#
ReplyDelete