A new report indicating that Al-Shabaab militants could be living in the extensive Boni forest in Garissa, has emerged.
About 300 militants are allegedly living with their families at a secluded place 70KM into the thick forest, the Star reports.
The terrorists are said to be surviving on game food and water from the several rivers in the forest.
It is also alleged they are using the forest as a training ground for both old and new recruits.
In court documents in a case against a suspected Al-Shabaab militant, Khalid Mohamed Ali, the prosecution also notes that there is evidence that the terror group is still in the forest.
Senior prosecution counsel at the Directorate of Public Prosecutions Daniel Wamotsa says a number of incidents on May 13 offered them new and compelling evidence that the terror gang is still within Boni Forest.
Khalid is accused of supplying food stuff to the militants.
According to a senior administrator in Lamu East, the militia conduct a terror attack, then flee back into the safety of the forest under the guise that they have already crossed back into Somalia.
Lamu County Coordinating Police Commander Chrispus Mutali said poor communication, bad road networks and inaccessibility were some of the reasons hampering efforts to pursue the militants.
The over 160km-wide forest has been home and a source of livelihood for centuries for the Boni community who are hunter-gatherers.
The forest borders the Indian Ocean and stretches all the way to the Kenya-Somalia border in Lamu and onward to Hulugho in Garissa.
The revelation comes barely a week after the militants ambushed a police vehicle in Lamu killing 5 people, before retreating to their ‘base’ in the forest.
See also:7 People Allegedly Dead in Latest Al-Shabaab Attack
