Haki Africa official Salma Hemed at a past event. [Photo/ Haki Africa]
The national government has been criticized for failing to provide humanitarian assistance to residents affected by the multi-agency Linda Boni security operation in Lamu.Human rights activists in the Coast region have faulted the government for failing to address the plight of the 700 families left homeless following a series of attacks by al-Shabaab militants in the county.Speaking in Mombasa on Friday the activists led by Haki Africa official Salma Hemed said the affected families are going through a hard time considering they are only receiving assistance from the Kenya Red Cross Society.“The government launched the multi-agency security operation in Lamu but did not consider its aftermath. We want the State to provide humanitarian aid to all the affected families,” said Hemed.She said the recent killings in both Lamu West and Lamu East were an indication of a failed security operation that needed to be enhanced.“The multi-agency security operation has been going on for the last 4 years but the results are killings, displacements and human rights violation,” added Hemed.She said residents have been forced to flee their homes over fear of being attacked by the terrorists.She also noted that education has been paralysed as over eight primary schools among them Basuba, Milimani, Mangai, Mararani and Kiangwe in Lamu East as well as Pandanguo, Kakathe and Maleli in Lamu West have remained closed since January.In response to Hemed’s remarks, Lamu County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo said both the county and national governments were working with the Kenya Red Cross Society to help the affected families.