The raging debate over Lamu insecurity intensified after Lamu ranch owners dismissed claims that they are behind the terror attacks in the area.
The owners of Witu Nyongoro, Amu and Witu Livestock Cooperative Society limited Ranches termed the statements by Lamu Woman Representative Monica Marubu as incitement meant to create divisions amongst the communities that have coexisted peacefully for many years in Lamu.
Addressing a press Conference at Witu Livestock cooperative Society Limited in Witu town they called on the government to take action against the women’s rep or else they will move to court to sue her for damaging their names.
During the president’s visit, Marubu had said the killings that have been witnessed in the recent past were not by Alshabaab but by ranch owners who organized gangs to slaughter people as the manner in which they were executing the locals was questionable since they knew the people by names.
Jare Elema the Chairman of Witu Livestock Cooperative Society Limited said it was wrong for Marubu to say that it was the ranch owners who were killing people and not Alshabaab as portrayed.
He said the government has many investigation units and should investigate the matter to unravel the truth of the matter.
“We are not behind the killings the government should conduct thorough investigations if we are not terrorists then the government should take action against Monica Marubu,” he said.
Elema said their ranch is legal and was given to them by the government though there were some squatters who invaded it, they are in the process of resolving the problem according to the law.
The Government he said has DCI, Anti-terrorism police Unit but Marubu has taken the responsibilities of all the investigation units to say that ranch owners are terrorists.
“We shall take action and move to court to sue her, and we know the law is not for Monica alone, if it is established we are not criminals then action be taken against her,” he said.
Abdi Kofonde a retired Chief said they are not terrorists and will never be but if the woman representative has evidence let her produce it to the authorities.
He said the Woman Rep claimed she has lived in Lamu for 30 years but revealed that he has a title deed for his grandfather which dates back to 1908 and his forefathers date back to over 800 years ago before that time a clear indication that they are natives of the area.
Athman Mohamed who is the Chairman of Nyongoro ranch said they were saddened by the utterances of the woman Rep during the president’s visit in Mpeketoni who stated that ranchers were behind the Lamu terror attacks.
He said there are so many ranches in Kenya but there have been no other ranches linked to terrorist activities but only in Lamu because the locals are the real owners.
“Let her take her evidence to the DCI so that action is taken against the suspects or else as ranchers we are going to take legal action against her, for many years people have coexisted peacefully regardless of tribe, religion or colour but today Monica Marubu is bringing ethnic politics,” he said.
