Duale warns locals against working with Al-Shabaab in Lamu

NAIROBI, Kenya - Some locals could be closely working with Al-Shabaab militants in Lamu, coastal Kenya, Defence Minister Aden Duale has claimed, arguing that it is impossible for the terrorists to walk from Somalia, unleash on innocent civilians, and go back to their homes without being noticed.

The minister, who has been pushing for the elimination of the Al-Shabaab, wonders how the militants could repeatedly attack the people of Lamu without security teams getting a hint. Lamu has been subject to Al-Shabaab attacks for the better part of this year.

“It’s surprising for you to fail to spot al Shabaab moving all the way from Jilib in Somalia to Mokowe and move even further to kill a driver and his conductor, and vacate without you locals seeing them,” Duale said.

“There must be local elements working with these so-called al Shabaab to perpetrate the heinous killings and destruction of property, he said. “I want to make it clear to you today that we know those who are collaborating with al Shabaab. Your days are numbered.”

He implored the community to work closely with the security personnel in order for the government to realize the much-desired fruits of peace in the country. Duale warned locals against harbouring al Shabaab militants and aiding their activities in the county.

According to him, there are chances that some militants are absorbed by locals after the attack, making it absolutely impossible for security officers to trace them. He asked chiefs and their assistants to stay put and help in identifying those abetting Al-Shabaab crimes.

“If wananchi are staying in camps, you’ll, as well, stay in that camp as the area chief or assistant chief,” CS Duale said.

“If you don’t want to stay in your area of jurisdiction, then you’ve no value holding that particular position, except forwarding a letter of resignation to us urgently so that we appoint people from that particular place to work there.”

As a mitigation measure, he said, the government will gazette some areas as disturbed and where citizens will not be allowed to carry out activities or live. The areas include Jirma, Juhudi, Mkunumbi, Marafa, Marafa-Toto, Pandanguo, Poromoko, Salama, Tabasamu, Ukumbi and Widho.

“Anyone found loitering in the mentioned areas will not be viewed as a Kenyan but rather al Shabaab,” CS Duale said. “We will deal with you. Those places are only reserved for our KDF soldiers and other security agencies."

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