Unite against terror groups-Duale urge Lamu Leaders.
By Musa Bashir
Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Saturday called upon the local leadership in Lamu to unite in the fight against terrorism in order to flash the terror groups out of the county.
Lamu has witnessed several terror attacks over the years, leaving hundreds of security officers and civilians dead paralysing development agendas in the county.
Speaking in Garissa during a fund drive for Madarasa schools in Fafi constituency in Garissa County where a total of ksh 27 .8 million was raised, Duale said that the war against terrorism can’t be won without the unity and collaboration of the local leaders and speaking with one voice.
“We are asking Lamu leadership from the governor to MCAs to unite for the fight against terrorism like those from North-eastern. They should work closely with the security apparatus because that is the only way that we will defeat the enemy and completely rid him out from our midst,” said Duale.
Duale said the government will take action again leaders who make irresponsible utterances that could aid terror activities sayings that everyone has a responsibility for country’s security.
“Leaders should be careful on what they say in public, if your public statements will aid the terror groups then be rest assured that as a government we will firmly deal with that leader. What we are saying is that we want all communities, all religions and all leaders in Lamu like Northeastern to unite in this war against terrorism,” he said.
He warned the al-Shabaab militants and their sympathisers in Kenya territory that the government will firmly deal with them saying that conversations were being closely monitored
“If you engaged in any kind of business or let us say cooking tea then you must know who your customers are because if you sell tea to al shabaab militants be rest assured we will not spare you. We will come for you,” he said.
On his part Mandera East Lawmaker Hussein Weytan said leaders from the region have agreed to unite in the fight against al shabaab.
“As a region there are a lot of development projects that this is government has lined up for our region. but for this to be achieved we must first unite and fight our common enemy that is al shabaab militants who are hell bent on ensuring that we do not progress,” he said.
Wajir West MP Yussuf Fara said insecurity in the country and the region at large can only be addressed through collaboration between locals and the security apparatus.
“We appreciate the recognition of the unique security concerns faced by our counties , given our proximity to the border and the challenges associated with cross-border activities. However we know that the government is up to the task in handling these challenges provided we all cooperate,” he said.
Others who accompanied Duale were MPs Salah Yakub[Fafi], Dido Raso[Saku], Abdikadir Hussein [lagdera], Yussuf Farah [Wajir west], Bashir Abdullahi[ Mandera North], Mohamed Adow [ Wajir South] and Abdi Dubat[PS EAC].
