KEY HIGHLIGHTS
KDF’s ‘Operation Linda Boni Forest’ is entering the fourth week since it was launched last month.
The operation which was launched with sole objective of flushing out Al Shabaab militants who had infiltrated the forest has recorded gains and success so far.
According to credible military and police sources, KDF has captured the strongholds and militants have withdrawn from the camps while many are believed to have crossed to Somalia.
ASSESSMENT
Boni forest had been infiltrated by an Al Shabaab cell, Jeysh Ayman with strength of about 300 militants. The cell used the vast forest cover as safe hiding den and as a strategic operational base for recruiting and staging guerilla attacks in the Coastal region.
While addressing a media brief on Wednesday 7th October 2015, the military spokesman, Col David Obonyo, said that KDF together with inter-agency units are now in control of key areas previously under the control of the militants.
KDF along with other government security forces have been able to take control of strategic areas where Al Shabaab had set up operation camps. The forces have been able to destroy these camps recovered wide assortment of weapons, utensils and medical supplies.
As the ‘Operation Linda Boni Forest’ which comprises of force contingent from NIS , KDF, GSU, the regular police, Administration police and National Youth Service enters it fourth week, significant gains and successes have been recorded and it is a matter of time before local residents get to return to more secure homes.
SUMMARY & FORECAST
The operation which is well coordinated when completed is set to benefit the local residents who had been living here in fear of being attacked by the militants. The strike teams are clearing and opening up roads for accessibility as long-term strategy to combat Al Shabaab eventuality.
Notably the residents will benefit from boreholes and health facilities being constructed as long-term strategies to bar insurgents from wooing the locals.
GSU platoons were deployed in villages such as Mpeketoni, Basuba, Milimani, Ishakan, Kipini Bodhei, Kiunga, Ijara, Panda Nguo Baragoni and Garissa to flush out the Al Shabaab elements.
KDF troops have been at their best in the dangerous operation whereby they have been able to detonate several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted along the major roads before allowing the NYS to construct access roads and increasing police patrols.
The ‘Operation Linda Boni Forest’ was launched by Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, Chief of Defence Forces Samson Mwathethe, the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and included other top security chiefs.
The operation is expected to continue until the expansive forest and the Indian Ocean that stretches all the way to Kenya-Somalia border in Lamu and onward up-to Hulugho in Garissa is safe and liberated free of Al Shabaab menace.
