Dozens flee homes after killings

Hundreds of families have fled their farms on the outskirts of Hindi trading centre two days after gunmen butchered 13 of their neighbours.

The close to 500 families, worried about their safety, spent Sunday night in the cold at the compound of Hindi Prison in Lamu West.

Most schools remained closed as children stayed at the ‘camp’ while their parents returned to their homes at daytime and returned before nightfall.

Headteachers of three primary schools told the Nation that pupils did not turn up for classes.

At Ndeu Primary School, which has 480 pupils, only a few teachers were in the compound while at Roka Kibiboni, where the killings happened, only headteacher Julius Gicheru was present.

UNEASY CALM

Mr Gicheru said that he was not surprised by the absence of the teachers and pupils as they were in mourning.

Roka Kibiboni lost a 13-year old pupil and three parents. Kennedy Mangara, of Class Five, was shot dead in their compound as he fled. His father died in the house, which the criminals had set ablaze.

Lamu East District Education Officer John Nzinga said 19 schools remained shut.

There was an uneasy calm on Monday as families prepared to bury their dead.

Those who spoke to the Nation on Monday said they felt insecure despite assurance that all would be well from Deputy President William Ruto, who visited the scene of the killings on Sunday.

“No one should leave his or her farm for fear of being attacked. We have put elaborate security measures in place. We have issued an order for the criminals to be caught, dead or alive,” Mr Ruto told the residents.

He pleaded with them to give the government time to pursue the killers.

Mr Ruto directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr Samuel Arachi, to spearhead the operations.

However, residents packed their belongings and left in their numbers for Mpeketoni, Gongoni and Malindi.

Hindi District Officer Stanley Mutua confirmed that families had pitched tent at the prison.

“Many people are afraid. They are convinced that more raids will occur. The government is doing everything to ensure that the attackers are brought to book,” he said.

Mr Mutua said that lack of transport frustrated some people’s attempt to flee.

He said that many of them were leaving their farms in Hindi, Roka Kibiboni and Malamande, which were attacked by more than 30 men.

Hindi chief Abdallah Shahasi appealed to people to be patient as the government handled the situation.

“I appealed to them not to leave their homes, but they refused,” he said.