Summary
Operation LindaBoni in Kenya’s vast Boni forest is at a stage where remnants of Somali based Al Shabaab militants have been pushed out of Kenya’s border with Somalia.
Some of suspected militants have been apprehended by combined efforts of Kenyan security agencies and are under the Kenya Anti-Terror Police Unit. Others continue to appear in courts over their suspected connection with the Al Shabaab.
#OperationLindaBoni director, James ole Seriani, confirmed mid November 2014 in an OSINT release that the operation would not end until the threat is completely eradicated.
KDF has established eight camps that are manned by officers who shall remain in coastal towns including Mpeketoni, Hindi, Panda Nguo and Witu until the problem is fully dealt with.
The operation is three-pronged. KDF soldiers are engaging in direct combat that involves aerial bombardments even as infantry soldiers comb the forest.
NIS agents have infiltrated neighbouring villages to secretly pick out those collaborating with the terrorists, while the police are interrogating those arrested, with the aim of charging them in court.
As part of Operation Linda Boni, nine police posts have been established in the area.
#OperationLindaBoni Timeless
The initiative by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), police, National Intelligence Service and Interior ministry was launched on Friday September 11th and was expected to last 90 days.
There is however no guarantee that the militants may not cross over inside Kenya’s border where they had found haven, carrying out atrocities along the Kenyan coastal region and extending them to other towns and cities.
There are in fact fears that the terrorists have retreated with the aim of returning once KDF forces are withdrawn.
