Terror attack families yet to return home in Lamu East

Thursday April 21, 2016
The families moved away after Al-Shabaab militants ambushed a neighbouring village.

A Kenya Police Reservist in Basuba, Lamu East Sub-County. More than 20 families who escaped from Milimani Village of Lamu East Sub-County are yet to return home in more than nine months after a terror raid in the area. FILE PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU

advertisements

More than 20 families who escaped from Milimani Village of Lamu East Sub-County are yet to return home in more than nine months after a terror raid in the area.

The families moved from the village on August 15, 2015, shortly after more than 100 Al-Shabaab militants ambushed neighbouring Basuba Village and preached to more than 300 villagers for an hour.

Addressing journalists in Milimani Village on Wednesday, Basuba Chief Yusuf Nuri said many of the families had run for their safety in Bar’goni, Hindi and Bodhei junction but since then, have been reluctant to go back home.

“We have a total of 58 families here in Milimani. After the August raid in Basuba Village, all the families sought refuge at Bar’goni, Hindi and Bodhei. So far only 38 families have come back to the village but the rest are reluctant to come back,” said Mr Nuri.

YET TO RETURN TO ITS FORMER VIBRANCY

He said as a result, the village was yet to return to its former vibrancy.

A resident, Mrs Asha Athman, lauded the national government for the adequate security provided in all the five villages of Milimani, Basuba, Mangai, Mararani and Kiangwe.

She said there were enough security patrols, making it possible for the locals to spend nights in their homes peacefully.

“We are well protected. We can comfortably sleep in our houses unlike before. Security patrols have been enhanced day and night. We have seen the Kenya Police and the Kenya Defence Forces officers in the area on daily basis,” said Mrs Athman.

The locals, mostly from the Boni Community, however, said there was need for the government to come up with strategies that would ensure they received crucial services like other citizens in the country.

POLIO VACCINATION

They said many of them had been denied services, including the recently concluded polio vaccination since officers were not willing to visit the region.

So far, more than 300 children have not received the polio vaccination in Basuba Location.

“We have enough security but our concern is that we are not provided with health services since health workers fear visiting our region. Once or twice, our children have missed out on the Polio vaccination. This should be addressed,” said Mr Ijuu Yusuf.

Currently, the Operation Linda Boni is going on in the area, after it was launched on September 11, 2015.

Its main aim is to flush out Al-Shabaab militants believed to be hiding inside the expansive Boni Forest.

Home
Email

Hiiraan Online