Press Release
Negligence and Corruption are Primary Causes of Frequent Tragedies

Again the people of Lamu have been hit by a boat tragedy which led several people to death and many injured. It is still early to confirm the number of those who died in the tragedy, but until now approximately seven people have reportedly died. However, Hizb ut-Tahrir believes that the government will not publicly announce the exact figure of the dead; rather it will hide the full face of the tragedy in order to avoid severe embarrassment and condemnation from the public. Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa offers its sincere condolences to all those stricken and at the same time we ask Allah the Almighty to shower His mercy upon all our deceased brothers/sisters. Amin! However after sending our condolences, we would like to state explicitly that this tragedy has again reminded the Kenyan society that there is deep rooted corruption in the entire transportation ministry from the land to the sea! It is very clear that roads and public means of transport such as Matatus, Buses, Ferries and Boats are in pathetic condition and are simply awaiting a disaster situation! How could the accident be avoided while passenger service vehicles are in bad condition and yet they are allowed to operate freely and worse still the passengers are filled like the bags of charcoal?! Roads are impassable! Ferries are frequently stuck while crossing through the sea! Most of the passenger boats that operate in Lamu have no light or safety facilities. Yet the officers regardless of the safety of the civilians usually receive bribes from the respective owners of the public transport means to allow them to operate freely! Many accidents including this Lamu accident reveal the inefficiency of the security officers. This accident occurred at 8pm and the people who came first and promptly to save people were civilian good samaritans and nongovernmental organizations while in Lamu they are many officers from the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya navy camp and police marine but they were nowhere to be seen! Surprisingly, and at the same time not a surprise to discerning people of intellect, following the kidnapping of a few tourists the same government quickly sent tanks and jets ostensibly to secure its borders. At the same time, the people of Lamu who are still mourning the deaths of the fishermen shot by Kenya navy personnel just a few weeks ago suffer another unnecessary tragedy. Also often police officers invade several houses at midnight and mercilessly assault innocent people and rob their properties under the pretext of searching for 'terrorists' or a lost gun. What kind of leadership is this that acts quickly to oppress its own citizens while very slow at saving their lives?

O Kenyan society! No doubt that you will agree with the Hizb that this situation clearly shows that the government has completely failed in protecting your safety; nay it has rather contributed to your suffering and even deaths and then looks away as if you are not human beings glorified by the Creator. This must be obvious to you. What we in the Hizb want to remind you, and urge you to focus in your minds, is that the way your so-called leaders underestimate and ignore your interests is one of the inevitable side-effects of the western capitalist exploitative ideology which produces leaders beholden to the elite capitalist class at the expense of the poor people. This system produces and nurtures leaders who do not fear the Almighty Creator and deny that they will be held accountable in the Last Day for on all their deeds. Omar bin Khattab, the second Khalifah after the death of the Prophet Muhammad [PBUH], who governed as the n Islamic state once publicly stated: "If a goat were to stumble on the road, I fear that Almighty God would certainly account me for failing to repair the road!" This example of Umar, a just leader who governed at the top of the Islamic state, clearly highlights the massive difference between the leaders who recognize Allah and submit to His divine laws and those leaders who do separate religion from life (secularism) and devote themselves to manmade laws which favor their interests. If Umar under his leadership was frightened of harming an animal, then imagine how much more fearful was he of harming or oppressing human beings who are innately glorified by their Creator? May Allah be pleased with Umar! This is clear evidence that Umar was bound by Islam which cares for human beings and commands them to account a leader so that he cannot deny the rights of the servants of Allah. In addition, Islam further explained that everyone whether leader or civilian is a shepherd thus he or she is responsible and will be held accountable so each person must be just and call for justice in this world failing which he will face severe torment in the Hereafter. We would like to remind the Kenyan society that any politician, Muslim or nonMuslim, who slavishly binds himself to the western colonialist capitalist ideology will persistently oppress you chasing after his narrow personal interests! Until when, O the people of intellect?!

Shabani Mwalimu
Media Representative
Hizb ut-Tahrir East Africa