Villagers flee after Shabaab raid
Some of the residents of Milimani in Basuba Ward, Lamu County, who fled their homes for Bodhai after Al-Shabaab terrorists invaded their village on Saturday. The terrorists preached for an hour and warned the residents not to inform the police. PHOTO | ATHMAN OMAR | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- When contacted, Lamu Coordinating Police Commander Chrispus Mutali said he is not ready to comment on anything to do with Al-Shabaab.
- Some residents told the Nation they are afraid of returning to their farms because they could easily run into the terrorists, who are believed to be hiding in the vast Boni Forest.
- All schools in Milimani, Basuba, Mangai and Mararani were closed two months ago. Students were taken to Kiunga where a temporary learning centre was set up a week ago.
eA village in Basuba Ward in Lamu County where about 100 Al-Shabaab terrorists preached and threatened residents on Saturday has been deserted.
The villagers have sought refuge in Bodhai, 14 kilometres away.
On Monday a Nation stringer established that about 35 families had fled Milimani Village, leaving behind some elderly and sick people.
Arrangements were being made for them to be transported to Bodhai on motorbikes.
When contacted, Lamu Coordinating Police Commander Chrispus Mutali said he is not ready to comment on anything to do with Al-Shabaab.
“What I know is we are doing our best to secure Kenyans. We cannot keep disclosing our plans to the media. Al-Shabaab would use the information.
Silence is also a weapon,” he said.
STARVATION FEARS
By Monday, residents from Milimani and Mangai Villages in Lamu East Sub-County arrived in Bodhai.
“The most affected village is Milimani. Over 35 families fled from their homes and sought refuge in Bodhai,” said a civil servant, who asked not to be named because he is not authorised to comment on the matter.
He said the villagers went to Bodhai because there is a military camp, a police post and a Kenya Wildlife Service post in that area.
The Nation also established that the Al-Shabaab invasion has disrupted people’s lives, as they left their farms and crops unattended.
Some residents told the Nation they were afraid of returning to their farms because they could easily run into the terrorists, who are believed to be hiding in the vast Boni Forest.
“I am really scared. The Baure attack at a Kenya Defence Forces camp on June 14, and the recent invasion in Basuba, is proof that the terrorists live among us.
“I cannot go to my farm. I do not know what my family will eat, all my crops have been stolen and the little that was left has been destroyed by monkeys,” said Mr Godana Abdi, a resident of Milimani.
All schools in Milimani, Basuba, Mangai and Mararani were closed two months ago. Students were taken to Kiunga, where a temporary learning centre was set up a week ago.
Another resident of Mangai, Mr Ali Abdi, said they believed the terrorists were still in the area. He said people were afraid to venture out.
“We do not have the courage to go to our farms. Hunting has also become impossible since Al-Shabaab has turned our forest into a hiding place. Nothing is happening, we do not have food. People may starve. We need help,” he said.
