Health centres on the spot for 'aiding' Al-Shabaab terror group

What you need to know:

Official says drugs being ferried secretly to Al-Shabaab
He says in recent times the Shabaab no longer raid dispensaries, where they used to vandalise and loot drugs.
He says individuals in the communities are taking care of and protecting the terrorists

Health facilities in Lamu, Garissa and Tana River counties have been accused of treating and supplying drugs to Al-Shabaab militants who have been terrorising locals.

Addressing journalists in Lamu on Monday, Linda Boni Operation Director Joseph Kanyiri said there are ongoing investigations on health facilities in Lamu, Witu, Garsen, Ijara, Sanghailu, Masalani and Galmaghala believed to supply drugs and secretly providing treatment to Al-Shabaab militants.

Mr Kanyiri cited an incident on November 26 last year where four cartons full of medical drugs and weighing more than 20 kilogrammes were found floating on the Indian Ocean shores in Shella.

The drugs, he said, were being ferried secretly to Al-Shabaab before the suspects were discovered and fled.

Loot drugs

An agitated Mr Kanyiri questioned why Al-Shabaab terrorists are in recent times no longer been raiding dispensaries, where they used to vandalise and loot drugs.

“We are following certain leads that will assist us in knowing who are providing treatment to the Al-Shabaab militants.

"We are aware of about five health facilities in Lamu, Tana River and Garissa that have connections with the terrorists. They have been secretly supplying drugs to the militants in the forest.

"Investigations are already underway and those involved will have themselves to blame,” said Mr Kanyiri.

Hospital drugs found floating on the Indian Ocean shores at Shella in Lamu town. Kanyiri says the drugs were being transported secretly to Al-Shabaab. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NMG

Terror attacks

Mr Kanyiri implicated some of the communities, in areas under the Linda Boni Operation, for the recent spate of terror attacks in the county.

He said some communities where Al-Shabaab militants have been launching frequent attacks -- including Nyongoro, Gamba, Lango la Simba, Milihoi and Ijara -- were aware of the terrorists and their activities.

He said individuals in the communities were even taking care of and protecting the terrorists, including by feeding them and ensuring their life inside the Boni Forest is comfortable as they continued to frustrate innocent citizens.

“Every time our officers are deployed in those areas to conduct a search once an attack happens, no terrorist is found. Does it mean that these terrorists evaporate? We don’t think so.

"We believe the communities around are aware of the Al-Shabaab activities but have decided to be silent.

We caution them to avoid working with the terrorists. You either be on the government side or be a terrorist. Choose one,” said Mr Kanyiri.