Terror-displaced Lamu villagers receive aid

More  than 400 families displaced by terror attacks in Lamu on Tuesday received food aid from the national government amid threats of more attacks by militants.

The families had been appealing for humanitarian assistance since they were pushed out of their homes three weeks ago.

Their crops were also destroyed by elephants days after they were attacked by the terrorists. Six people were killed.

On Tuesday, food aid arrived. It include 400 bags of rice, 160 bags of beans, 240 pieces of iron sheets, over 500 mattresses and blankets, over 300 gas lamps and cooking jikos, soap and sanitary towels.

More than 400 displaced families at the Juhudi Primary School IDP camp in Lamu West received the aid.

Lamu Senator Githuku Kamau led  the distribution at Juhudi Primary School camp and promised to continue pushing for more aid.#fr5oand , promised to continue to push more assistance.

The relief aid was dispatched after Githuku wrote to the national government offices, asking to help the IDPs in Lamu as soon as possible.

Many of the families at the Juhudi Primary School camp are in a state of despair, especially after their crops were destroyed by wildlife shortly after they fled their homes for fear of terrorism three weeks ago.

In the past three weeks, six people have been killed and more than 10 houses torched by al Shabaab militants who raiding  villages at night and brutally murder residents. 

Attacked villages  include Salama, Juhudi, Marafa, Widho, Ukumbi, Nyatha and surrounding areas.

Recently, the government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the villages starting from 7pm to 6am for an unspecified period. 

The move is to allow security agencies to deal with terrorists and other criminals at night.

Al  Shabaab recently has stepped up its attacks on security forces and civilians.

Githuku insisted on the need for the government to tighten security in Lamu to enable citizens to resume activities in their villages.

“I am happy to be here to distribute relief aid to my people at this camp. I pray that you observe patience as the government fights and ends insecurity in our villages,”Githuku said.

“My greatest happiness is to see security and peace fully restored so that my people can dissolve this camp and go back to their homes to continue with normal lives,” Githuku said.

Lamu West deputy county commissioner Gabriel Kioni said the government has done a lot to ensure the security of citizens and property.

Kioni asked members of the public to share information with the security agencies to help ending crime in Lamu.

“I can assure you the government isn’t sleeping. It’s protecting its citizens and property, so rest assured. There is no cause for alarm,” Kioni said.

He spoke during the aid distribution at Juhudi Primary School.

Residents interviewed, however, stressed the need for the government to find a permanent solution to the recurrent attacks and killings of residents in Lamu villages.

“We appreciate the assistance received so far but our major issue is the recurrent attacks and killings. When will they end” Elder Peter Githio asked. “The government should do something tangible to earn our trust on security.”        BY THE STAR