Linda Boni security operation director Joseph Kanyiri. He said health facilities are assisting Al-Shabaab militants. Photo/nation.co.ke
Health facilities in the Coast region have been put on the spot for aiding al-Shabaab militants seeking medical treatment.
Linda Boni security operation director Joseph Kanyiri said they have launched investigations on claims that health facilities in Lamu, Garissa and Tana River are assisting al-Shabaab militants.
Addressing journalists in Lamu on Monday, Mr Kanyiri said they suspect the health facilities are secretly giving out medical supplies and also treating al-Shabaab militants.
Mr Kanyiri said a number of health facilities in Lamu, Witu, Garsen, Ijara, Sanghailu, Msalani and Galmagala are believed to be involved in such illegal activities.
Citing the November 26 incident last year, the director said over 20 kilos of cartons full of medical supplies were found floating on the Indian Ocean shores at Shella area in Lamu.
He said the medical supplies were secretly being ferried to an al-Shabaab hideout before the suspects were discovered by security officers but they managed to escape.
Mr Kanyiri said investigations on the health facilities are ongoing adding that the security agencies are also investigating some medical staff involved.
“We are investigating some medical staff in these health facilities that we believe are secretly colluding with al-Shabaab militants by supplying them constantly with drugs and other medical supplies.”
“We are following certain leads that will assist us in knowing who are providing treatment to Al-Shabaab militants,” said Mr Kanyiri as quoted by the Daily Nation.