Mpeketoni memorial set for June 15

Lamu, Kenya: Leaders and relatives of 65 people killed last year in Mpeketoni, Lamu, plan to hold commemoration prayers at the Mpeketoni grounds on June 15.

A year since the mid June 2014 massacre by Al-Shabaab militants security in Mpeketoni sub-county remains fluid and unpredictable.

Despite the imposition of a curfew and deployment of police, paramilitary and military forces, residents still do not feel safe.
Fear was heightened a fortnight ago after hate leaflets were dropped in the area, threatening violence.

"There are always elements that want to continue instilling fear and there have been cases when leaflets have been circulated. But security has been beefed uo, and we assure the residents they are safe," said Jonathan Chebasa, the assistant county commissioner of Mpeketoni.

He said several civil society groups, interfaith groups and chiefs were holding barazas to defuse religious tension.

According to Witu Assistant County Commissioner Elijah Kipeteroi, security agencies mobilised last year are still on the ground.