Lamu leaders laud KDF for killing four Shabaab terrorists

Leaders from Lamu County have lauded the killing on Monday of four Al-Shabaab militants by the Kenya Defence Forces in Boni Forest.

At the same time, locals, most of whom had begun losing hope on the war on terror in the region also said they were happy with the new development.

Security forces patrolling the Kenya-Somalia border along the expansive Boni forest on Monday killed four militants and recovered a police vehicle, a Ford Ranger, which had been stolen on December 16, 2015 during an attack at Milihoi near Mkunumbi in Lamu which left two people dead and one Administration Police officer injured.

According to KDF Spokesperson Col David Obonyo, Monday’s hunt also resulted in the recovery of four AK-47 rifles, three improvised explosive devices (IED), three pistols, ammunition and a global positioning system (GPS) gadget.

Speaking in Lamu on Tuesday, Lamu Deputy Governor Eric Mugo, Lamu West MP Julius Ndegwa and a section of MCAs termed the move as a new move in the war on terrorism in Lamu.

The leaders said the killing of the four militants on Monday will go a long way in boosting the morale of security units currently combing the vast Boni Forest.

HEED INTELLIGENCE REPORTS

Mr Mugo appealed to the security units not to ignore any intelligence reports concerning Al-Shabaab whenever reported by locals.

He revealed that Lamu residents have been giving information concerning terror suspects and related activities but accused security units of ignoring such information.

“I recognise the dedicated efforts being made by KDF in fighting and eliminating Al-Shabaab elements in Lamu. The killing of the four militants is a huge victory both to Lamu and Kenya as a whole.

“Let us continue to cooperate with our security units and lend them any help we can. Our hope is to see Lamu enjoying everlasting peace and calm,” Said Mr Mugo.

The deputy governor also stressed on the need for Kenyan soldiers to remain in Somalia and criticised those who pushing for the withdrawal of the troops from the terror-prone nation.

“Withdrawing KDF from Somalia is not a solution. Instead we should support our soldiers both in Somalia and within Kenya to ensure their mandate is fulfilled.

“Those who were proposing that the troops be withdrawn do not have Kenya’s interest at heart,” added Mr Mugo.

WAR ON TERROR

The Lamu West MP on his part said the number of civilians and security agents lost in the hands of Al-Shabaab was too much and that the killing of four militants on Monday was just a beginning of the war on terror.

“Ever since Operation Linda Boni was launched five months ago, this is the (first) major breakthrough recorded in the hunt for Al-Shabaab militants.

“This is a good sign of redemption of Lamu from Al-Shabaab who are disturbing our people,” said Mr Ndegwa.

Hongwe Ward MCA James Komu said he was still waiting for more Al-Shabaab to be killed.

“These militants are always seen operating in groups of between 20 and 100 or more. There is need for the security units to work even harder in order to eliminate more terrorists from wherever they hide,” he said.

Locals who talked to the Nation also expressed their gratitude for a job well done by KDF soldiers that led to the killing of the four militants.

The Nation established that there was joy and celebration in some parts of Lamu including Mpeketoni, Witu, Kibaoni and Hindi just hours after news of the killing of the four militants in Boni Forest reached them.

The killing of the four came just days after three people were killed and one injured when Al-Shabaab attackers raided Kaisari Village in Mpeketoni Division on Sunday morning.