Security shake-up over Lamu raids

A central command to coordinate the operations of all security agencies on the Kenya-Somalia border is to be set up. (Read: Kibaki meets security chiefs over Lamu raids)

The control centre will link police and military operations in securing the border on land, sea and air.

A senior security officer told the Nation the idea was mooted after it was realised that no single security agency had the capacity to detect and repel invaders.

The proposed command centre would operate round the clock but no decision had been made on which agency would host it.

At the same time, the Nation learnt that a shake-up of top police officers at the Coast was on the cards.

Security agencies in Lamu have been on high alert following two recent abductions in the area.

The Kenya Navy and Maritime Police Unit are patrolling the Indian Ocean coastline, with helicopters from the Army and Police Airwing providing 24-hour aerial surveillance.

There was panic in Lamu on Tuesday night after false reports circulated that Somali pirates had been spotted approaching the island.

Lamu West district commissioner Stephen Ikua dismissed the reports, saying security personnel were patrolling the Kenya-Somalia border on land and sea.

The abductions have affected tourism in Lamu, with hoteliers reporting massive cancellations.

Both Britain and France advised their citizens against travelling to the island after suspected Somali bandits abducted French woman Marieu Dedieu on Saturday.

The UK’s Independent said Kenya’s “bungled” response had “destroyed confidence in security” in the area.

Like the Independent, the Telegraph said the kidnappings “will hit Kenya’s coastal tourism hard,” just after it had recovered from two months of 2007/08 post-poll violence.

Both Paris and London have told tourists not to travel within 150km of Kenya’s border with Somalia.

This includes popular tourist areas of Lamu and Manda islands, where the gunmen seized Ms Dedieu, 66, at the weekend.

Ms Dedieu’s kidnapping comes three weeks after another gang killed Briton David Tebbutt and kidnapped his wife, Judith, further up the coast from Lamu.

There are reports that French elite forces may be used to rescue Ms Dedieu.

A source at France’s defence ministry told the Daily Telegraph that its forces based in Djibouti and troops with the international anti-piracy force, were “involved” in the search for Ms Dedieu.

On Wednesday, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka assured tourists that they were safe, and urged diplomats whose countries had issued travel alerts to withdraw them.

Mr Musyoka said the police and military were on high alert.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Raila Odinga called on the international community to take advantage of improved stability in Somalia to restore order in that country.

The PM was speaking after meeting a Somaliland government delegation on Wednesday.

Reported By Fred Mukinda, Paul Redfern, Galgalo Bocha, Anthony Kitimo and PMPS