The Kenyan security apparatus has made strides in the fight against al Shabaab terrorists, who have been hiding in the vast Boni Forest.
The forest, which covers an area of over 1,339 square metres, stretches from Lamu all the way to Garissa and into neighbouring Somalia.
It has been used as a hide-out for al Shabaab, a terrorist organisation based in Somalia. Those criminals launch their attacks from the forests.
However, as we speak, al Shabaab fighters have been pushed deep into the forest and to the Kenya and Somalia border.
You cannot compare the attacks that were being reported inside the forest and Lamu county before Operation Linda Boni was launched in 2015 and now.
Yes, recently our soldiers were killed after their patrol vehicle ran over an IED around Baure area in Boni Forest. We have also had other separate incidents of vehicles being blown up by IEDs inside the forest and on feeder roads within Lamu county.
However, these cases have been minimal and cannot be compared to how insecure the region was before Operation Linda Boni.
The criminals hiding inside the forest will always attack and run away, but we always ensure we pursue and neutralise them.
They punch, and we punch even harder. We will not relent.
Boni Forest is still under active operation, and we should always expect an attack from these criminals.
However, our officers are working round the clock to ensure those bad elements are pushed out and the region becomes peaceful again.
We have also had a challenge with schools inside that region, but starting Tuesday (today) we are going to reopen all six schools.
Our students will resume classes under the watchful eye of our security apparatus.
We have also ensured the deployment of teachers in all affected schools is affected before the schools are reopened.
We assure everyone that their security is taken care of and there should be nothing to cause alarm.
For a very long time, the areas that have been unstable are those found deep inside Boni Forest. However, the regions that are populated are always safe.
We are asking Boni residents to stay calm as the government works round the clock to ensure the region remains safe.
Irungu Macharia, the Lamu County Commissioner, spoke to the Star
