Kenyan soldiers in Lamu have intensified their search for al Shabaab militants believed to have fled after five were killed on Monday.
Operation
Linda Boni
director Joseph Kanyiri confirmed the recovery of items including
six AK 47 rifles and 321 bullets.
This followed an operation at
Bodhei area at the Lamu-Garissa border. This is one of many areas police have identified as being harboured by the terrorists.
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Several militants are
said to have escaped with bullet wounds during the 11.30 am ambush by Kenya Defence Forces soldiers.
Speaking in Lamu on Tuesday, Kanyiri said troops are in hot pursuit of the suspects and that they will be found, whether dead or alive.
He noted the operation has been successful and that "the forest has become too hot for any living thing including al Shabaab".
"Al Shabaab who had been hiding in the forest are now finding it too hot to stay, what with the daily bombardments and ambushes our soldiers have been carrying out," he said.
"They are now in what we refer to as flight
mode.They are literally running out and we are killing them. People have suffered...we are determined to bring back peace."
An electricity pylon blown up by suspected al Shabaab militants at Milihoi area in Lamu, August 7, 2017. /CHETI PRAXIDES
Kanyiyi noted the terrorists are the enemy and that their only agenda is to
inflict harm, pain and sorrow.
"Loathe the militia and share information when you see them anywhere in Lamu or Kenya. Tell security agents immediately," he told the public.
"They damage our infrastructure, including communication masts put up at a great cost to investors and taxpayers. Why would they shoot at a PSV not knowing who is inside? Why would they attack masts so people can't communicate and use M-Pesa? They are at war without reason."
Al Shabaab want Kenyans soldiers and others who are part of AMISOM to leave so they can impose strict Islamic law.
SYMPATHISERS WILL FACE SAME FATE
The director warned al Shabaab sympathisers saying they will be subjected to the same fate
if they don't reform.
Kanyiyi noted anyone who sympathises with, or assists a terrorist knowingly, is aiding a crime that is punishable under Kenyan laws and the terrorism Act.
"With what is happening to the militants here, we know the sympathisers are terrified. They still have a chance to either reform or face a similar fate as al Shabaab," he said.
"If you aid a terrorist in any way, however minute, we shall treat you the same way we treat that terrorist because it means you have no regard for human life, peace and development."
Kanyiri said the operation will continue until all criminal elements hiding inside Boni are neutralised.
"We have been able to destabilise and de-operationalise al Shabaab in the forest. That's why their presence and the number of attacks in Lamu has reduced to bare miinimum. We will carry on in the same spirit."
Earlier today, two Technical University of Mombasa staff members were killed in an attacked by suspected al Shabaab fighters in Lamu.
Msambweni OCPD Joseph Chebusit and Coast regional boss Larry Kieng said they launched a search for the suspects believed to be returnees.
