Lamu,KENYA:Lamu West MP Stanley Muthama has called on leaders and residents in all the three border counties to the Boni forest of Lamu, Tana River and Garissa to preach peace and co-existence among all communities and tribes in the region.
Muthama said all the three counties are faced with similar challenges top among them being insecurity caused by the constant threat of Al-Shabaab militia and pastoralist-farmer conflicts.
Speaking in Lamu on Wednesday,the MP said he believes unity amongst leaders and residents in the three counties will go a long way in aiding the success of the ongoing security operation to hunt down Alshabaab militants inside the Boni forest.
The legislator said with true cohesion among communities,insecurity and other common problems will be a thing of the past.
Muthama revealed that leaders from the three counties recently met in Malindi to try and chart a way forward on how to instill cohesion among communities and how well they can cooperate with security agencies in order to see an end to the Alshabaab menace.
“As leaders in this particular side of Kenya,I believe we have a special call to unite this region for a common good.We share a lot of problems and challenges.What affects Lamu,directly affects Tana River and Garissa and vice versa.Our biggest nightmare has been insecurity caused by Alshabaab but I believe if we work as a unified front and include our people in all these,we can overcome anything,”said Muthama.
Muthama said leaders from the three counties were also planning to meet and hold talks on how to stop youth from the region from being radicalized and joining terror groups instead of serving the nation.
He said there is need for leaders to find out exactly what attracts the young people in the region to go and join militia groups and also the people concerned with connecting the youth to such groups and deal with them decisively.
“We need to speak against radicalization.We need to lead our youth to the light.We have a duty to tell them that joining the militia is the worst decision they will ever make in this lifetime.Lets find out as leaders what tempts them and work towards ensuring they receive gratification right here in their country so that they feel no need to join the militia.Its possible if we decide to put our hearts to it,”said Muthama.
