More officials deployed to boost war on Al-Shabaab
Security officers in the ongoing ‘Operation Linda Boni’ on patrol at Hindi in Lamu County last September. The government has posted more deputy county commissioners to the county to boost security. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The government has posted additional deputy county commissioners to terror-prone areas in Lamu and Garissa Counties to enhance security.
- The officials have been posted to Lamu West and Lamu East Sub-Counties as well as Ijara and Hulugho in Garissa.
- This came as ‘Operation Linda Boni’, which was launched to flush terrorists from Boni Forest in Lamu, entered its seventh month.
- The operation’s director, Mr James ole Serian, revealed that 12 assistant county commissioners have also been posted to fill vacant positions in Basuba, Pandanguo, Jima, Mararani, Ishakani, Mkunumbi and Bodhei in Lamu and parts of Garissa.
The government has posted additional deputy county commissioners to terror-prone areas in Lamu and Garissa Counties to enhance security.
The officials have been posted to Lamu West and Lamu East Sub-Counties as well as Ijara and Hulugho in Garissa.
This came as ‘Operation Linda Boni’, which was launched to flush terrorists from Boni Forest in Lamu, entered its seventh month.
The operation’s director, Mr James ole Serian, revealed that 12 assistant county commissioners have also been posted to fill vacant positions in Basuba, Pandanguo, Jima, Mararani, Ishakani, Mkunumbi and Bodhei in Lamu and parts of Garissa.
“The government has taken the step to strengthen 'Operation Linda Boni',” he said, adding that security patrols have been enhanced.
More security officers have joined the war on terror in the county since Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery launched the operation last September 11 to hunt down Al-Shabaab militants, believed to be hiding in the forest.
LAUDED OFFICERS
Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri lauded the officers conducting the operation, saying it has greatly contributed to the calm being experienced there.
“The government will continue to hunt down and eliminate all elements that threaten national security,” Mr Kanyiri told the Daily Nation on Wednesday while asking residents to cooperate with security agents. “I can confidently say Lamu is safe.
“'Operation Linda Boni' has made major strides and, as we speak, the new county commissioners posted here have already begun work.”
This came as Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala arrived in county, which is in the northern tip of the Indian Ocean coast and borders war-torn Somalia, where the Al-Shabaab is based, to assess the security situation there.
Mr Balala, who was accompanied by officials from the British High Commission, said he was impressed with efforts to improve security in the county.
“Security has really improved in Lamu,” said Mr Balala. “The situation is not the same as in 2014, when the county experienced frequent terror attacks.
“We have come to assess the situation before we reach an agreement concerning lifting of the existing travel advisories.”
Lamu Tourism Association deputy chairman Ghalib Alwy called for the lifting of the travel bans, saying they have greatly affected Lamu’s economy.
