State yet to actualise Lamu's new administrative units to bolster security

The national government is yet to actualize its plan to have new administrative units established in Lamu county in a move aimed at bolstering security in the region.

While on a visit to Lamu in January this year, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki directed the immediate formation of the new units in the Witu Division which would also enable easy administration of the areas.

The plan is to have the larger Dide Waride location which incorporates the Katsaka Kairu area, subdivided to allow the latter to be a location on its own, with its own administrators including chiefs and their assistants.

The CS issued the directive just at the height of Shabaab attacks in the county that had left five people including KDF soldiers and four civilians dead.

The CS had equally ordered the immediate deployment of chiefs and their assistants to the newly formed administrative units.

According to security experts, the creation of new units would translate to increased security amenities like more security posts, stations and camps in the areas.

There would also be intensified patrols being conducted in these areas and also the ease of reporting any security threats and incidents as the amenities will now be closer to the locals and readily available in case of a prompt response.

The vast Witu division has borne the brunt of the majority of the terror attacks and security incidents in Lamu County.

On Christmas Day last year, two people were shot dead by suspected al-Shabaab attackers who raided Ziwa la Taa Village near Pandanguo in Witu, Lamu West at around 8 pm.

Those killed were 35-year-old Mwanza Ali Nyae and 30-year-old Rai Bingo Rumba. A house belonging to a National Police Reservist, Kahindi Mangi was also torched.

On December 28, just two days later, two other people, a lorry driver, and his conductor were killed when heavily armed suspected Al-Shabaab militants ambushed vehicles in the Mambo Sasa area, near Witu Town, along the Lamu-Witu-Garsen route.

A day later, a KDF soldier was killed when their patrol vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) believed to have been planted on the road by suspected Al-Shabaab militants at Mrima wa Faru, which is in between the 21-kilometre Witu-Pandanguo road within Witu Division.

Currently, residents in these areas have to go all the way to Witu town of Dide Waride location to be able to make reports on any security concerns.

The CS’s directive is supposed to be implemented by state officers in the county including the office of the county commissioner and county commander, after consultation with locals.

However, three months down the line, the directive is yet to take effect and the units are yet to be formed, with residents calling on the CS to follow through with the directive.

“We know the CS meant what he said and we ask is that he personally makes a follow-up to ensure the units are formed because it seems like nothing will happen,” said Virginia Wambi, a community leader in Witu. 

Locals believe the subdivision of the massive Witu division will enable better and more effective administration and security.

In his response, acting Lamu county commissioner Charles Kitheka said plans are already underway towards the creation of the new units and called for patience.

He said in part, the delay was to allow locals and county leaders to consult on the matter before the next stage of the process takes place.

“Public participation is a must on such an issue but that is already done and the response was brought to my office. I have since submitted the response to the regional office. We will have the new units in operation in a month’s time,” said Kitheka.