Lamu residents applaud Operation Linda Boni as peace returns

Security officers in the ongoing ‘Operation Linda Boni’ on patrol at Hindi in Lamu County last September. The Judicial Service Commission has announced on May 10, 2016 that the next Chief Justice will be in office in October this year. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The deadliest attack was the raid on Mpeketoni and Panda Nguo in June 2014, in which an estimated 90 people were slaughtered.

  • In March, one of the biggest Al-Shabaab camps was discovered.

  • It comprised dugouts that were expertly concealed but were nonetheless unearthed by hawk-eyed Kenyan security officers.

A week would barely pass without a terror attack in Lamu County, but three months have elapsed without incident thanks to Operation Linda Boni, the Kenyan security agencies’ effort to fight Al-Shabaab in counties bordering Somalia.

At the height of the security breakdown, the Al-Shabaab Islamist militants would use improvised bombs and automatic rifles to launch attacks, killing many security officers and civilians.

Thousands of people were uprooted from their homes while businesses, public transport and farming ground to a halt.

The deadliest attack was the raid on Mpeketoni and Panda Nguo in June 2014, in which an estimated 90 people were slaughtered.

TERRORIST CAMP DISCOVERED

Then Operation Linda Boni was launched. The security campaign was concentrated in Boni Forest, which traverses the Kenya-Somalia border.

This is because Jeshi Ayman, the local faction of Al-Shabaab, had established camps there.

In March, one of the biggest Al-Shabaab camps was discovered.

It comprised dugouts that were expertly concealed but were nonetheless unearthed by hawk-eyed Kenyan security officers.

In those trenches, security officers found more than a tonne of food supplies, guns and ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and bomb-making materials.

There was enough maize flour, beans, salt, cereals and rice to last the terrorists a long time.

The operation is being carried out by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the National Police Service, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and other State security agencies.

It is three-pronged: As KDF soldiers engage the militants in direct combat that involves aerial bombardments and infantry soldiers combing every inch of the forest, NIS detectives infiltrate neighbouring villages to pick out those collaborating with the terrorists, while police officers arrest and interrogate suspects with the aim of charging them in court.

FOOD AND ARMS SUPPLIES

Mr Justus Mwau, an official at the multi-agency operations cell, told the Nation how terrorists have used simple materials and chemicals that are easily available in retail outlets and chemists to make powerful explosives.

“These are small components that do not make sense to a layman but can be used to make a bomb,” said Mr Mwau.

“For instance, the terrorists use dry cells, car batteries, electricity cables, adhesive tape, metal ball bearings and nuts, bottles and switches.”

The ball bearings, which are commonly used in bicycle wheels, are utilised as shrapnel in IEDs.

Acid, normally used for scientific experiments in high school laboratories, is used to make the IEDs.

They also use detonators, which are readily available for use in quarries, to make powerful bombs.  

Mr Mwau said residents are of great help in the war against terrorism.

He said: “Locals can play a part by reporting people asking for various commodities yet they are known not to use them.”

Regarding the recovered foodstuff, he said: “This implies that there is a local support network as it (food) can only be obtained in the surrounding trading centres.”

When the Nation visited the area last week, residents praised the security operation.

“Peace has returned to this area,” said Sheikh Nurdin Abdullah.

“We are back to the peace we enjoyed before 2014. This is mostly because of the partnership by the government and the local community.”

Mr Abdullah added: “Terrorism is not Islam, and my appeal to the youths who may have been lured into terrorism is that they return to the society and they will receive God’s mercy and forgiveness.”

His words were echoed by the chairman of pastoralist communities in Lamu West, Mr Mohamed Harith, who said: “There were a few misguided youth who were lured into terrorism.

“We requested the government to offer them amnesty so that they can return and be rehabilitated. Even in families, there is a son who goes against his father’s will.”

AMNESTY STANDS

The head of the multi-agency operation, Mr James ole Serieni, said the amnesty offered by the government stands. He added that the State had established safe houses where youths who have surrendered are being rehabilitated.

Mr Ole Serieni said that although Operation Linda Boni was initially supposed to take 90 days, it will go on for as long as it takes, probably years.

He said the operation has entered a crucial Phase Two, in which other government agencies are carrying out developments so that the remote Lamu County is at par with the rest of Kenya.

The National Treasury has asked Parliament to allocate the Ministry of Defence an extra Sh2 billion for multi-agency operations this financial year.

Dams, roads, schools, police stations and dispensaries are already under construction in the area while boreholes are being drilled to provide water to the pastoral communities living there.

The government has also involved mobile telephony companies, which have so far erected transmission masts in Panda Nguo, Bodhei and Mijira.

Regarding the new police stations, Mr Ole Serieni said: “A sufficient number of police officers have been posted there to protect the public and also guarantee their own safety.

“Three other stations have been strengthened by sending additional officers and equipping them accordingly.”

Nine of the armoured personnel carriers acquired by the Interior ministry are being used by General Service Unit (GSU) officers deployed in Lamu.

But there is a new disease in the area and Mr Ole Serieni has warned the country.

“There is this new disease: That there is a lot of free land here in Lamu,” said Mr Ole Serieni. “The affected people come from all over Kenya with that disease.

“It is called Witemere.”

“Witemere” means “cut a slice for yourself” in Kikuyu language. It implies that one can own a piece of land of their choice here, provided they have the will and the power.

“There is no free land in Lamu,” said Mr Ole Serieni. “All we have here is trust land, and the rest belongs to the Bonis, individuals and groups.

“If you purchase land with a title, that’s okay; otherwise, avoid the brokers completely.”