The government has failed to protect its citizens against the al Shabaab militants in Lamu,
MP Stanley Muthama has said.
Muthama said the
state should now
change its strategy in the war against the terror group following the increased attacks in the region.
Last week a woman was killed while several police officers sustained injuries after Alshabaab attackers attacked them at Nyongoro.
The Lamu West legislature asked the
Kenya Defence Forces to set up permanent camps along the Garsen Witu Mokowe road where the militants have been making frequent attacks.
Speaking in Malindi on Thursday the legislator said there could be laxity among some officers.
The Alshabaab terrorists recently raided Ishakani area where they forced locals to attend a meeting for close to one hour.
Most people fled their homes after the incident.
“It is unfortunate that the assailants have been launching attacks in the county to make it ungovernable since 2014 when Mpeketoni town was first attacked,’’ he said.
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Muthama said already he had held talks with security chiefs in Lamu to find ways of resolving the problem.
According to the MP, the attacks could have been triggered by the government move to open up the sleepy marginalized county of Lamu to industrialization.
The MP said the construction of the new port and the strategic position of Lamu after the completion of the LAPSSET projects together with the construction of the Garsen –Witu – Mokowe road could be major factors contributing to the attacks.
“The situation is getting out of hand, security officers in charge of the operation must charge their strategy because residents are tired with the continuous attacks,’’he said.
“The national government through the President should hear calls of Lamu residents who for the last four years have been living in fear despite the government commitment and assurance to fight Al Shabaab,’’ he said
Already Tanariver county leaders have called on the Government to provide locals with firearms to defend themselves against the militants.
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