Sporadic terror attacks in Lamu county over the years by terrorists based in Boni forest have raised questions on the effectiveness of the security operation launched in 2015 to flush them out.
Operation Linda Boni had initially been scheduled to end in 90 days after it was commissioned following the Mpeketoni attacks in 2014, but it was declared to continue until further notice after the terror threat became more evident.
Though it has been deemed largely successful following reduced attacks over the years, every now and then there is a resurgence that undermines confidence.
“Since Mpeketoni in June 2014, when al Shabaab terrorists massacred nearly 70 Kenyans of upcountry heritage over two nights, it has become obvious that Shabaab owns the night throughout Lamu,” security expert Andrew J Franklin says.
Just this year, at least 13 people, including four General Service Unit officers, have been killed in a spate of attacks by suspected al Shabaab militants in Widho and Juhudi/Marafa in Mkunumbi ward and Milihoi and Bobo-Sunkia in Hindi ward, Lamu West.
All this in a span of a week. It has thrown the once-peaceful Lamu towns and villages into despair once more.
It all started on June 2014, when al Shabaab militants launched the first onslaught of attacks in Mpeketoni, Lamu, that left more than 100 people, all men, mercilessly massacred, some in their homes.
Bodies were strewn on the roadsides, farms and homes in a heart-wrenching scenario that left scars in the hearts of many.
There have been many other attacks since by the militia that have left scores dead despite the ongoing security operation by the government.
Al Shabaab have become notorious for launching IED attacks targeting civilian and security vehicles on the Lamu-Garsen road that have left tens dead and others maimed for life.
The militants are known to have set up fully furnished bases inside Boni forest, complete with weapons and technical support.
There have been reports over the years that security officers have blown up a few of these hideouts, recovered part of the weaponry and even captured some militants.
But just as Lamu was slowly going back to normalcy, the militia seems to be on the offensive once again, leaving bodies and destruction in their wake.
Since Mpeketoni in June 2014, when al Shabaab terrorists massacred nearly 70 Kenyans of upcountry heritage over two nights, it has become obvious that Shabaab owns the night throughout Lamu
VILLAGERS LIVING IN FEAR
In the latest attacks, a GSU land cruiser was blown to ashes by a suspected militia Rocket-Propelled Grenade, burning all four officers on board beyond recognition.
The situation has reignited the fear, tension and desperation that was witnessed in 2014 since the attacks bear semblance to what happened then.
Recent victims had their hands and legs tied at the back before they were slaughtered, shot dead and burnt in their houses, while others were just shot dead, a stark reminder of how militants killed the more than 100 men in Mpeketoni, Kibaoni, and nearby areas in 2014.
Many villages have been vacated as residents spend nights in the bush for fear of being killed as they sleep in their homes. The villages include Juhudi, Marafa, Salama, Mashongoni, Widho, Bobo, Kibiboni, Kibokoni, Mavuno and Poromoko.
Schools in the affected areas have remained shut as both learners and teachers keep away for fear that the schools might be targeted by the assailants.
Locals have expressed their discontent with the security situation and appealed to the government to bring the attacks and unrest to an end.
It’s no longer business as usual as traders and businesspeople have had to change their mode of operation, only opening when they feel it’s safe, while some are not opening their joints at all.
SECURITY OPERATION
The 2014 attacks propelled the government in September 2015 to launch a multi-agency security operation named Linda Boni, whose objective was to flush out al Shabaab militants who were believed to be hiding inside the Boni forest.
Among units conducting the operation is the KDF, General Service Unit-GSU, Rapid Border Patrol Unit, Rapid Deployment Unit, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service.
Despite the operation and subsequent security arrangements, including additional military and security bases being established in Lamu, the terror attacks seem to be nowhere close to elimination.
For instance, a group of suspected militants raided Mashogoni village in Mpeketoni on January 11 at around 5am, where they took their time to slaughter two goats, cook them and have a feast before leaving at their own pace at around 7.30am.
Within that same area lies the Tabasamu military camp, and many have been left wondering how militants can walk around terrorising people without being noticed and still get away with it.
Initially, there had been reports that the militants had been defeated and totally eliminated all thanks to the operation, but various security experts feel the government has handled the whole matter inappropriately.
Andrew J Franklin, a well-known security expert and former US Marine, says that during the last 10 years, the al Shabaab insurgency has spread throughout Kenya’s northeastern counties and urban areas.
He explains that the attacks in Lamu are just another way for the militia to commemorate the attacks launched on Kenya in previous years.
“Such attacks are to ‘commemorate’ such successes as the assault on Manda Bay-Lamu, dusitD2, Kulbiyow and El Adde. It’s something security agencies in the region should have anticipated,” Franklin says.
THE LOOPHOLES
Franklin explains that the government of Kenya has failed to appreciate that it is dealing with an insurgency not only in Lamu but across all five frontline counties of the Northeast.
The ground is well covered and so there is no need to worry. We are in control
The security expert says since the invasion of Somalia on October 15, 2011, 10 years ago, al Shabaab made good use of sleeper cells already in place as well as the near-total lack of effective border controls to infiltrate fighters into Kenya from Somalia.
Franklin called for a systematic implementation of devolution activities by newly established county governments.
“This is particularly important because devolution constitutes delivery of services to local populations, which is sometimes referred to as 'hearts and minds'," he says.
Without service delivery and in the absence of security forces fairly protecting the local population 24/7, he says, there is nothing to stop Shabaab insurgents from extending their influence over rural areas and their inhabitants.
The expert says something is obviously amiss when no comprehensive counter-insurgency campaign has been implemented for more than seven years.
While some leaders and the security apparatus link the recent Lamu attacks to land squabbles and politics, Franklin dismisses this.
"That stuff about politics and land is all about gaslighting and smoke and mirrors. These incidents during the first week of 2022 paint a poor picture of peace and security in Lamu,” he says.
The expert says unless and until a comprehensive counterinsurgency plan is adopted that focuses on removing the reasons for disaffection or radicalisation, and security provided for the entire population within Kenya’s five frontline counties, al Shabaab will continue to expand its influence in addition to destabilising much of Northeastern.
Coast regional commissioner John Elungata, however, says the security agencies have unearthed and sealed off loopholes that were being taken advantage of by the bandits to launch attacks in Lamu.
“The ground is well covered and so there is no need to worry. We are in control,” he said.
Last week, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in parts of Mpeketoni, Hongwe, Witu, Hindi and the neighbourhood, all of which have been listed as disturbed.
