KDF intensifies security operations in Boni Forest

Police officers and soldiers have intensified security operations in areas bordering Somalia and Boni Forest, Kenya Defence Forces spokesman David Obonyo has said.

Col Obonyo said the forces have launched a major operation in the forest to flush out Al-Shabaab militants.

The KDF spokesman added that the militants had been conducting raids in certain areas because information volunteered by the public at times took long to reach security agencies.

He was, however, quick to add that cooperation between security forces and residents was helping win the war against terrorism.

“Attacks have taken place in several areas but it should be noted that KDF officers cannot be in every place at the same time,” he said.

“We also must verify information from the residents before we act. The public has of late volunteered very helpful information. We will definitely win this war.”

KDF OPERATIONS

The statements came just two days after soldiers killed four suspected Al-Shabaab militants in the forest.

The military said two other terrorists escaped with multiple bullet wounds.

During the Monday encounter between soldiers and the militants, officers recovered a police vehicle stolen by the terrorists at Milihoi Village on December 16.

Col Obonyo appealed to the public, doctors and nurses to report any person seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.

Meanwhile, residents of Kaisari and Nyatha villages where three people were killed by suspected Al-Shabaab militants on Sunday have refused to let their children attend school.

The Nation on Wednesday established that some had already transferred their children to Poromoko Primary School.

Teachers and pupils have fled following the Sunday killings and the two schools are on the brink of closure.

Mkunumbi Ward Rep Paul Kimani told the government to improve security in Poromoko, Kaisari, Nyatha, Jima and Pandanguo.

He suggested that a police station be established at Kibaoni, a General Service Unit post at Pangani and a KDF camp at Pandanguo.

VILLAGE NOT IN "KDF ZONE"

In a related story, it has been established that Kaisari Village was not part of the operation area covered by KDF soldiers.

Three people were killed, several others injured and a house razed on Sunday when heavily armed men attacked the village.

“The area was outside KDF operation zone. We are working to increase operations to Pandanguo,” a top police officer who requested anonymity said.

He said intelligence reports indicated that terrorist groups had no place to get food and had resorted to get it from residents or attacking new areas.

“Locals have a lot of information about these people. If they share it with us, we shall flush the extremists from the area in a very short time,” he said.

Some of those injured in the Sunday attack were taken to Mpeketoni Sub-County Hospital.

On July 16, 2014, a day after more than 60 people were killed by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Mpeketoni, nine men were beheaded in Kaisari Village.

The Sunday’s incident happened a week after six police officers were killed in an attack at Milimani Village.