Sober mourning flooded various villages in Lamu on Tuesday and Wednesday as 13 victims killed by criminals including al-Shabaab militants were buried under heavy guard.
The funeral was held in the villages of Salama, Widho, Hongwe-Msafuni, Muhamarani, where mourners, including political leaders and locals, urged the government to increase security in their villages.
In Salama village near Widho, the funeral of Francis Kamau, 45, who was killed along with five other villagers in the January 2, 2022 invasion of Widho area was buried in a ceremony that witnessed a few mourners appearing on Tuesday afternoon.
Addressing the mourners, Mkunumbi MCA Paul Kimani urged the government to set up army and police RDU unit, especially in the Juhudi-Hall area which he described as a frequent use of gangs entering villages to kill residents and destroy mali.
"I would like to ask the government to increase army patrols (KDF) and RDU police in these areas to prevent criminals from entering and burning people's homes and killing innocent residents. We condemn these acts of aggression and brutality against our people. This situation must be stopped as soon as possible, ”said Mr Kimani.
Lamu senator candidate in the August 9 by-elections this year, Francis Mugo, urged Homeland Security CS Fred Matiang'i and his Land counterpart Farida Karoney to visit Lamu and investigate sensitive issues in the area. , including the long-standing grievance of al-Shabaab-sponsored terrorism as well as land disputes.
"We are tired of witnessing innocent people being killed indiscriminately by criminals here in Lamu. Houses were burned and items stolen by the invaders. My request to the ministers, Fred Matiang’i and Farida Karoney, is for them to visit Lamu, to investigate al-Shabaab as well as land disputes and resolve them so that Lamu can continue to enjoy peace, ”said Mr Mugo.
In Msafuni village, Hongwe ward, Lamu county, another victim of the poaching invasion, John Murimi was buried under heavy KDF protection by police.
In his address to the mourners, Hongwe Councilor James Komu called on the government to appoint more villagers and train them to join the National Defense Force (NPR).
According to Mr Komu, despite many former NPR members retiring, no action has been taken by the government to appoint new officers.
He said he believed the increase in NPR numbers in rural areas would help curb and end crime, including poachers killing civilians.
"It would be better for the appointment of more NPR officers to be made sooner, to be given special security training and to be provided with modern guns to control rural security. My suggestion is for every Lamu village to have at least three or four NPR officers, ”said Mr Komu.
Content created and supplied by: Edwin_M (via Opera News )
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