Transport crisis as terrorists target vehicles on major roads

A KDF armoured vehicle patrols at Hindi in Lamu County on April 21, 2016. Residents of Kiunga in Lamu East want the government to increase police patrols along the roads to deter attacks by Al-Shabaab militants who have been targeting vehicles. PHOTO | ROBERT NGUGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • They said that they were reluctant to travel by road to Lamu as the militants attack military, police and passenger vehicles.
  • They said since June 2014, transport along the Hindi-Kiunga road and other major roads in the area had been hampered.
  • Mr Bahero also said the sea tides were also a major threat to life.

Residents of Kiunga in Lamu East want the government to increase police patrols along the roads to deter attacks by Al-Shabaab militants who have been targeting vehicles.

They said they were reluctant to travel by road and had instead opted for water transport to go to Lamu as the militants attack military, police and passenger vehicles, especially along the 250-kilometre Hindi-Kiunga road.

And those who spoke to the Nation on Monday lamented that water transport was both expensive and risky.

They said since June 2014, shortly after Al-Shabaab terrorists attacked the Baure military camp, transport along the Hindi-Kiunga road and other major roads in the area had been hampered despite the ongoing Operation Linda Boni.

The military operation was launched to flush terrorists from Boni Forest.

“We are calling on both the county and national governments to improve security along the roads because water transport is very expensive and most people cannot afford it,” said Mohamed Bahero of Kiunga Village.

TRAVEL COST DOUBLES

He added: “Travelling by road from Kiunga to Lamu costs up to Sh500 per person by a matatu.

"This amount doubles when using a boat. It therefore means one needs up to Sh2,000 to go to Lamu and return. This is very expensive.”

Mr Bahero also said the tides were also a major threat to life.

“Yet we can no longer use roads for fear of attacks,” he said.

Meanwhile, the residents have appealed to the national government to lift a ban on night fishing in Kiunga, saying it had dealt the region’s economy a big blow.

The ban was imposed in 2011 following a wave of abductions of tourists by Al-Shabaab militants.

Locals who depend on fishing for survival have urged Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery to lift the ban.

“We urge our governor Issa Timamy to intervene so that fishing at night can resume. We are suffering because fishing is the main economic activity here,” said Shee Lali, another resident.