Leaders call for calm after Nyali, Malindi attacks

Local politicians have told residents and tourists not to panic following Sunday's twin raids on security facilities in Malindi and Mombasa.

Governor Hassan Joho said the attacks had been exaggerated, adding that the area was safe.

"The issue was a serious criminal act. But the reports we have say these were normal criminal activities and should not be sensationalised," said Mr Joho.

He said the military's level of preparedness was commendable given that they were able to prevent the attacks.

The assurance came as some primary school heads called on the Government to provide enough security to avert incidents similar to what happened during Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams two years ago.

Members of the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) attacked police and disrupted exams in Malindi in 2012.

"What we should look at is our forces' level of preparedness, which should be commended. They were able to deter the raiders' plans and kill most of them," said Joho.

government efforts

He said political leaders and security agencies had come up with a strategy to deal with criminal gangs in the county, which include coming up with a committee that will facilitate structured meetings.

Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir, who read a statement on behalf of six MPs from the county, complained that the issue had been blown out of proportion to portray the coastal town as unsafe.

"We are disappointed and disturbed by how the incident has been reported. It has been blown out of proportion," said the MPs.

However, both the political leaders and security agencies failed to say whether the attacks were linked to the secessionist MRC or the Somalia militant group, Al-Shabaab.

Joho said some European countries had indicated they would lift the travel advisories that had affected tourism, and the latest incident could derail Government efforts to revive the sector.

Nyali MP Hezron Awiti said the international media had exaggerated the incidents that he described as "normal criminal incidents".

Others who were at the meeting at Nyali Golf Club were Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi, his Kisauni counterpart Rashid Bedzimba, County Commissioner Nelson Marwa and the county's police chiefs.

The tourism sector in Mombasa has borne the brunt of insecurity following travel advisories by some European countries to their citizens, warning them against visiting the country.