MP wants non-local pastoralist herders ejected from Lamu to curb insecurity

Lamu West MP Julius Ndegwa has asked the national government to order all livestock herders from other counties and who are in Lamu County to go back to their regions saying they may be contributing to insecurity.

Mr Ndegwa said the existence of many herders in most parts of Lamu, particularly Pangani, Mkunumbi and Witu areas has greatly contributed to insecurity in the region and demanded for their removal.

Mr Ndegwa said he was suspicious that most criminals who launch attacks in Lamu were hiding among the herders.

He asked security agents in Lamu to conduct thorough investigations on both the local and non-local herders and ensure those from other counties like Tana River and Garissa are ordered back to their homes.

“The mode in which the Lamu attacks are being conducted is evidence enough that the attackers are not from far. We need to have a plan on how our security in Lamu will be enhanced and I think by moderating the way pastoralists enter our region, we will achieve that.

“I suggest the government orders all non-local pastoralists living in Lamu to go back to their regions. Criminals take advantage of the presence of these pastoralists to hide among them and launch attacks in Lamu,” said Mr Ndegwa.

DISAGREED WITH GOVERNOR

Mr Ndegwa also lashed out at Governor Issa Timamy’s suggestion that only herders who will found culpable after investigations should be asked to move out of Lamu, saying that all non-local herders should be made to go back to their counties.

“The government ordered all non-local pastoralists living in Lamu to go back to their places and that should be the case and not otherwise.

“The governor’s suggestion to single out those who will be found guilty after investigations is an improper move. Let all [non-local] pastoralists go back to their homes. Their existence seems to be a security threat to our region,” he said.

Early in January, the government announced an extension of activities of the ongoing Operation Linda Boni to four key areas of Lamu West Sub-County, which include Bodhei, Pandanguo, Witu, Pangani and surrounding areas.

The government also ordered pastoralists in those areas, especially those from neighbouring counties of Tana River and Garissa to return to their homes to pave way for the major operation in the respective areas.

Mr Ndegwa’s sentiments come just two days after police in Lamu arrested two suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Pangani on Friday.

The two, aged 21 and 22 years and who are Kenyan-born Somalis, are expected to be arraigned in court early this week.