Govt To Announce Cash Rewards For Info On Lamu Terrorists- Kindiki

Lamu County has in recent weeks experienced a number of terror attacks suspected to be masterminded by the Al-Shabab militia group.

Govt To Announce Cash Rewards For Info On Lamu Terrorists- Kindiki
Interior CS, Kithure Kindiki appearing before the Senate on October 11, 2023. /KITHURE KINDIKI

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, October 11 revealed that the government will award cash to Kenyans who provide information leading to the arrest of suspects behind the recent terror attacks in Lamu County.

Appearing before the Senate National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations Committee to answer questions on various issues in the security sector, the CS affirmed that the Ministry of Interior and National Administration will publish a list of persons it suspects are the chief architects, planners, and perpetrators of the terror attacks.

"We will announce cash rewards for persons who volunteer information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects.

KDF officers ride on a vehicle during a past operation. /FILE

"The suspects will be required to surrender at any Police Station or else our security officers will pursue them and deal with them ruthlessly and in accordance with the law," he stated.

Kindiki further disclosed that since the 1998 US Embassy attack, approximately 500 lives have been lost through terror attacks. 

Furthermore, he added that the government has over the years established specialised security units to boost counterterrorism efforts and safeguard the lives and property of citizens.

"They include the Anti-Terrorism Unit, the National Counterterrorism Centre, the Financial Reporting Centre, the Transnational Organised Crime Unit, the Asset Recovery Agency and the Kenya Coast Guard," he went on.

He further took note of key legislations that have also been enacted, including the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, the Prevention of Terrorism Act, of 2012, the Security Laws Amendment Act of 2014 and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act of 2018.

Others include the Amendments to the Anti-Narcotics Act, Amendments to the Refugee Act, Amendments to the NGOs Act, Amendments to the Firearms Act to control the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and Amendment to the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act.

Lamu County has in recent weeks experienced a number of terror attacks suspected to be masterminded by the Al-Shabab militia group.

On Wednesday, September 20, Kindiki announced the deployment of special forces and elite units in Northern Kenya and Upper Coastal regions to deal with suspected terrorists in the wake of recent Al-Shabaab attacks.

He highlighted the counties of Tana River and Lamu where the elite troops would be deployed, the latter having just witnessed a suspected Al-Shabaab attack in the Widhu area, Mkunumbi ward in Lamu County.

His directive came hours after suspected Al Shabaab militants killed one person and set seven homes on fire during the attack in Lamu that reportedly occurred at 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

The attack added to the increasing number of daring attacks by the notorious terrorist group on innocent people while destroying key infrastructure, ignoring government threats issued against them.

Scene after a house was torched by suspected Al Shabaab militants on September 20, 2023. /MOSES KOECH.X
Marvin is a man who wears many hats as well as one of many talents. The digital journalist and editor rose from studying a Psychology degree at the United States International University-Africa (USIU) and working as an intern at Kenyans.co.ke to the Founder & Editor-In-Chief at Viral Tea Ke, driving it into one of the fastest-growing digital media platforms in the country. He believes in serving that hot tea; every day and every hour. His skills include editing, writing, social media analytics, teamwork, and good communication skills and is ready to learn, re-learn and unlearn. Previously, Marvin also served as the Digital Editor at Bright Kenya News and has had stints at 254News.co.ke and Afrotape.com as a Content Curator His works as a commentator have been featured in newspapers such as Daily Nation, Business Daily, The Star and People Daily either solo or alongside other fellow young journalists. He is a believer in growing young talent in the media industry, passing on lessons learnt from other experienced digital journalists to scribes that look up to him. Currently, he is pushing to have aviation journalism popular among media houses in Kenya. As a believer in victory, he is a fan of Chelsea Football Club and some say he has a radio voice.

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