Coast Regional Commissioner Nelson Marwa. [Photo/ poyesa.com]
Leaders from Mombasa, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Kwale and Kilifi will not be allowed to visit Lamu until the government successfully neutralises Al-Shabaab militants operating in the county, Coast Regional Commissioner Nelson Marwa has said.
Marwa said security agencies are investigating claims that some political leaders in Coast finance terrorism masterminds in the region with the aim of destabilising the August general election.“People from Mombasa should stay in Mombasa,” he said.“If you are a leader in Kwale, stay in Kwale and do your campaigns in Kwale. Don’t come loitering in Lamu. If you are a leader in Kilifi or Tana River or Taita Taveta don’t come to Lamu. Leave Lamu to the people of Lamu.”He spoke less than a week after suspected terrorists hijacked a vehicle in which Labour PS Mariamu El Maawy was traveling in Lamu and drove it into Boni forest.Her nephew, Arif Kassim who was traveling with her was killed during the incident.Marwa said government was closely monitoring activities of some politicians in Mombasa.“We have been monitoring Mombasa and Lamu. There is a strong relationship between Mombasa and Lamu. What is happening? What is the interest?”He claimed the 2014 terror attack in Mpeketoni in which 60 people were killed was planned in Mombasa.“If it’s not true that some leaders have links with these terrorists, why are they against the deployment of KDF in Boni forest?” he asked.He said most terror attacks in the region target Jubilee leaders and their supporters.