I have always believed that vigilance is one of the greatest strengths any citizen can bring to national security. The simple truth is that threats are often spotted first by ordinary people, not by security agencies. That is why we are urged to follow the advice: “If you see something, say something.” But over the years, I have also learned that this advice comes with a responsibility — to act fairly, to avoid prejudice, and to focus on facts, not assumptions. Vigilance without fairness is not vigilance at all; it becomes suspicion dressed as patriotism.
In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security makes it clear that homeland security is not just about preventing attacks — it is also about protecting constitutional rights. In Kenya, our constitution equally guarantees freedoms that must be respected, even as we guard against terrorism, violent crime, and civil unrest. The real challenge lies in walking the fine line between being alert and sliding into bias or unnecessary intrusion.
From my observations, ethical homeland security rests on four pillars. Respect for Rights — Never compromising the freedoms and dignity of individuals. Proportionality — Ensuring security measures match actual risks, not imagined fears. Transparency — Letting the public understand how security policies work and why. Accountability — Holding everyone, from agencies to ordinary citizens, responsible for their actions. In democratic societies, these principles are not optional. The moment people believe security systems are unfair, trust begins to erode — and without trust, cooperation collapses.
Technology has made surveillance easier than ever. Cameras with facial recognition, AI tools that scan social media, and algorithms that track online activity are now part of the security toolkit. Used properly, they can stop real threats. Used improperly, they can become instruments of abuse.
Bias — whether conscious or unconscious — is one of the greatest threats to effective security. When vigilance turns into profiling, we alienate the very communities whose cooperation we need most. After 9/11, U.S. law enforcement engaged in widespread surveillance of Muslim-American communities. The result? Damaged trust, reduced cooperation, and a chilling effect on community engagement. In Kenya, I have seen similar patterns in how communities near the Somalia border feel unfairly targeted.
We need to stop thinking that people of Somali origin are the only ones capable of carrying out an attack. A person’s face does not point to guilt, and ethnicity is not evidence. Criminal intent is revealed by behavior, not appearance. When security focuses on identity instead of actions, it fails to catch threats that fall outside its stereotype — and it creates injustice along the way.
Security agencies in many countries now train personnel and the public to recognize behavioral indicators: unauthorized attempts to access restricted areas, photographing security-sensitive locations, leaving bags unattended, or testing security responses.
The most important ingredient in citizen–agency cooperation is trust. People must know that when they report something, it will be handled fairly, professionally, and without bias. They also need assurance that their personal information will not be misused or disclosed. It must remain anonymous.
The citizen’s role in security is vital, but it must be guided by ethics. Ethics are not a limit on our ability to protect one another — they are the foundation of that protection. If we focus on behaviors instead of identities, protect civil liberties, and hold ourselves accountable, we create a system where vigilance strengthens both safety and freedom. The true measure of a nation’s security is not only how well it stops attacks, but how faithfully it upholds the principles it exists to defend.
In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security makes it clear that homeland security is not just about preventing attacks — it is also about protecting constitutional rights. In Kenya, our constitution equally guarantees freedoms that must be respected, even as we guard against terrorism, violent crime, and civil unrest. The real challenge lies in walking the fine line between being alert and sliding into bias or unnecessary intrusion.
From my observations, ethical homeland security rests on four pillars. Respect for Rights — Never compromising the freedoms and dignity of individuals. Proportionality — Ensuring security measures match actual risks, not imagined fears. Transparency — Letting the public understand how security policies work and why. Accountability — Holding everyone, from agencies to ordinary citizens, responsible for their actions. In democratic societies, these principles are not optional. The moment people believe security systems are unfair, trust begins to erode — and without trust, cooperation collapses.
Technology has made surveillance easier than ever. Cameras with facial recognition, AI tools that scan social media, and algorithms that track online activity are now part of the security toolkit. Used properly, they can stop real threats. Used improperly, they can become instruments of abuse.
Bias — whether conscious or unconscious — is one of the greatest threats to effective security. When vigilance turns into profiling, we alienate the very communities whose cooperation we need most. After 9/11, U.S. law enforcement engaged in widespread surveillance of Muslim-American communities. The result? Damaged trust, reduced cooperation, and a chilling effect on community engagement. In Kenya, I have seen similar patterns in how communities near the Somalia border feel unfairly targeted.
We need to stop thinking that people of Somali origin are the only ones capable of carrying out an attack. A person’s face does not point to guilt, and ethnicity is not evidence. Criminal intent is revealed by behavior, not appearance. When security focuses on identity instead of actions, it fails to catch threats that fall outside its stereotype — and it creates injustice along the way.
Security agencies in many countries now train personnel and the public to recognize behavioral indicators: unauthorized attempts to access restricted areas, photographing security-sensitive locations, leaving bags unattended, or testing security responses.
The most important ingredient in citizen–agency cooperation is trust. People must know that when they report something, it will be handled fairly, professionally, and without bias. They also need assurance that their personal information will not be misused or disclosed. It must remain anonymous.
The citizen’s role in security is vital, but it must be guided by ethics. Ethics are not a limit on our ability to protect one another — they are the foundation of that protection. If we focus on behaviors instead of identities, protect civil liberties, and hold ourselves accountable, we create a system where vigilance strengthens both safety and freedom. The true measure of a nation’s security is not only how well it stops attacks, but how faithfully it upholds the principles it exists to defend.
