Lamu: A wave of fear and tension has gripped Lamu County, as more cases of missing residents continued to be reported at the border township of Kiunga.
According to Kenya News Agency, the anomaly has sparked outrage among the community leaders and civil society groups, who have raised the red flag claiming that security agencies were behind the surging cases of ‘enforced disappearances’ in the remote area.
Recently, human rights groups including Haki Afrika and Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) held demonstrations in Amu Island to register their displeasure with the ongoing disappearances, accusing state actors of allegedly committing atrocities against the people.
Residents are now issuing a fervent plea to the national government, demanding that security operations in the designated Kiunga operation area be conducted in strict adherence to the rule of law.
Mathias Shipeta, Haki Afrika’s Rapid Response Officer, in his remarks, called on the national government to avail Mohammed Omar, a Kiunga resident and fisherman who was allegedly abducted two weeks ago by masked gunmen at his home. Shipeta expressed concern about the non-responsiveness of security agents to inquiries regarding Omar’s whereabouts, despite the family’s pleas for their kin to be availed for trial if liable for any charges.
Ali Fujo, Haki Afrika Programme Officer, echoed these sentiments, warning that security agents risk alienating the public if such attacks and disappearances continue unabated. MUHURI Human Rights Defender Aisha Athman also called on the government to come clean over the forced disappearance of Mohammed Omar, which she added has been rife in the area.
Separately, Kiunga residents, led by retired Senior Chief Atiki Mohammed and Lamu County’s Director of Peacebuilding Shee Kupi, presented a memorandum to Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy. The memorandum outlined grievances over heavy-handed security practices in Kiunga, which have further led to economic disruptions in the area. Kupi emphasized the need for an independent investigation to address the recent bombing and kidnapping incident in Kiunga.