Thursday September 28, 2023
Coast regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha in Lamu.
Image: CHETI PRAXIDES
The war on terror has been boosted after the government started constructing key security roads in Lamu county.
Coast regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said improved road infrastructure will ease movement of security agencies as they fight al Shabaab and other criminal elements in the region.
She was speaking in Juhudi village, Lamu West subcounty during the launch of the roads construction.Most terror-prone areas, particularly those in Boni Forest and surrounding areas are characterised by poor road networks that pose a challenge to security agencies operating in the areas.
Last month, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and his Defence counterpart, Aden Duale announced the plan to construct six key security roads in Lamu county.
They include the 21km Witu-Pandanguo, the 40km Mkokoni-Kiunga, Bodhei-Kiunga, Pangani-Bodhei-Kiunga, Kiangwe-Basuba, and Witu-Sendemke-Katsaka Kairu roads.
Onyancha assured those undertaking the road construction of security, adding that the government will deploy enough security agencies to the concerned areas where the works are ongoing.
“The road we are launching today will assist our security agencies to move easily as they fight criminals. Sometimes it’s challenging for us to deal with the enemy whenever they come striking due to a bad road network,” she said.
On information sharing, Onyancha appealed to residents to work closely with the security agencies by giving crucial leads that will help eliminate terrorists and other criminals in the county.
She stressed that good coordination between security agencies and members of the public will boost the war on terrorism and other crimes.
Between June and September this year, Lamu has witnessed increased cases of terror attacks that have left at least 30 people, including security officers, killed and property worth millions destroyed.
The hard-hit villages are Widho, Salama, Juhudi, Marafa, Mashogoni, Poromoko, and surrounding areas, all in Lamu West subcounty.
Boni Forest areas of Lamu East subcounty such as Baure, Bodhei, Milimani, Mangai, Mararani, Snakuri, Sarira, and their surroundings have also witnessed cases of al Shabaab killings.
The latest al Shabaab attack in Lamu is that of Wednesday last week when a group of heavily armed terrorists hacked to death a 49-year-old man, George Sumit Gitocho, when they raided Widho-Mashambani village in Lamu West.
Seven houses were torched by the militants in the 2am attack.
“We’re suspicious of the recent killing in Widho-Mashambani. We shall investigate the Widho killing and ensure those involved are brought to book. Let’s be one another’s keeper,” Onyancha said.
Lamu leaders, including Deputy Governor Raphael Munyua, Lamu West MP Stanley Muthama and Lamu Senator Joseph Githuku attended the event.
They pledged commitment to work with the government to ensure Lamu insecurity is resolved.
