Arrest perpetrators of Lamu beheadings

The gruesome beheading of 10 Lamu residents by suspected Al Shabaab militants is an outrage, and every effort must be expended to arrest the perpetrators. It is quite likely that the suspects are still at large within Boni Forest, and this is evident from the aerial bombardment of the forest by the Kenya Defence Forces after a terror attack in the area mid last week.

Even as the pursuit of the suspects continues, civilians in the forest must be persuaded to leave this sanctuary to allow the police greater latitude to conduct their search.

The beheadings in Jima area, Lamu West were reported less than a week after the jihadists attacked a village in Pandanguo before raiding a police post and dispensary which they ransacked for medicine. This would suggest that the suspects are quite familiar with the area.

As has been stated in the past, security agencies must begin to anticipate new attacks by the terrorists who are focusing on less fortified targets outside major cities in their grand scheme to spread terror. We must send an unequivocal message to terrorists that we will defeat them should they venture into any part of our country.

Now that it is clear that the Al Shabaab have made Lamu County and parts of north eastern Kenya their new theatre for war, security agencies must build their capacity to generate intelligence about their activities in these areas.

To begin with, those who provide terrorists with a safe haven must be identified and dealt with. Security agencies must stop the upsurge of violence and make Kenya a safer place.