Boni elders deny shielding Al-Shabaab

Elders from villages in Boni, Lamu East, have denied claims that they are shielding members of Al-Shabaab.

The elders on Friday convened a meeting at Bar’goni following allegations that members of the terrorist group were living in some of the villages.

The elders denied claims by the Lamu County administration that the villagers were collaborating with the militants, saying the information portrayed the community in a bad light.

“Who wants to be associated with Al-Shabaab? We have been working with the police and the KDF. We have done our best to give them any information we feel is useful to ensure the security in this place (Boni). The allegations are unfair and unreasonable,” said Doza Diza, the elders' spokesman.

He expressed fears that the community would be harassed during security operations.

“Despite the accusations, we will continue to cooperate with the government by providing relevant information that will assist in the war on Al-Shabaab in our villages,” said Adan Golja, a headman in Pandanguo village.

On Thursday, Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri and County Coordinating Police Commander Abdullahi Ada warned locals against collaborating with Al-Shabaab militants by spying for them or giving them food.

They claimed some residents in Baure, Mangai, Milimani, Mararani and Kiangwe villages were Al-Shabaab sympathisers.

The Basuba region in Lamu County has been in the limelight following a spate of attacks by Al-Shabaab since 2014.

The region is alleged to be used by the militants to enter Lamu from Somalia and to exit to the neighbouring country.

On Thursday, an Al-Shabaab terrorist was killed and an AK-47 rifle and three magazines were seized when a group of over 20 militants attacked the Mangai Rapid Deployment Unit camp at 2am.