More than 60 families have pitched camp at Juhudi Primary School for fear of attacks by al Shabaab militants.
This is a week after suspected al Shabaab militants killed five people and torched six houses in Juhudi and Salama villages.
During the attacks on June 23 between 7.30pm and 10pm, the terrorists dragged the victims from their houses, tied their hands and legs with nylon ropes behind their backs, and executed them.
But despite government's assurance of heightened security, residents mostly from Juhudi, Salama, Widho, Mashogoni, Marafa and Ukumbi have vowed never to go back to their villages lest they get killed by the militants.
Among those killed last month was 19-year-old Form 3 student from Bakanja Secondary School, Barrack Hussein, who was home for the half-term break.
On Friday, Inspector General of police Japhet Koome, Lamu county commissioner Louis Rono and other top security bosses from the county, visited the IDPs at Juhudi Primary School and promised them of adequate security.
Resident Titus Mwangi from Juhudi village said staying in their villages is similar to exposing themselves to the terrorists.
“We have decided to camp here at Juhudi Primary School to avoid becoming an easy target for the terrorists who are unpredictable," he said.
"Those telling us to return to our homes don’t know what they are saying. We can’t move from this camp. The government should in fact find a permanent solution to these recurrent attacks in our villages.”
Resident Paul Kariuki expressed disappointment that despite the government having earlier assured them that the attacks and killings won’t be repeated as security is intensified across Lamu, there are still incidents of attacks and killings every year.
Kariuki said the killing of 15 people, including four GSU officers in Widho, Mashogoni, Marafa, Juhudi, Kibokoni, Milihoi and surrounding areas in January 2022, should have served as a wakeup call to the government to ensure the insecurity incidents in Lamu are ended.
“A year later, we’re witnessing similar attacks within the same area. The state should come clear on these terrorists’ incidents. We’re now worried about believing what the state says about our security,” he said.
Salama resident Peter Githinji said wild animals are now feasting on their crops while they are at the camp.
“We have maize, simsim, beans, and other crops that are almost ready. These harvests are feasted on by wild animals, especially the monkeys, since most of our farms have remained unguarded since the Saturday night attacks and killings. During the night while we’re at the camp, the wildlife take charge of our farms, destroying everything,” Githinji said.
County commissioner Rono, however, insists the government has done all it takes to ensure the security of citizens and property is guaranteed.
“Security has been intensified across this place with a heavy concentration of forces in all the villages and surrounding areas that have been witnessing attacks and killings. I don’t know why you’re held up here at the camp. It’s time you go back to your homes. It’s safer that way,” he said.
