At least 1,800 Mokowe residents are set to benefit from a weeklong medical camp sponsored by The Lamu Border Patrol Unit and the American Civil Affairs team of the US military.
The medical camp is part of the national government’s efforts under the County Action Plan initiative to build police and community relations within Lamu.
Speaking to KNA in Mokowe Secondary grounds where the medical camp has been set up Assistant Superintendent of Police Bakari Wato said that they expect to provide medical outreach for at least 150 people daily.
“Our objective is to ensure that we build a relationship with the various communities in which we carry out these outreaches within Lamu,” he said.
He further added that there will be more medical outreach clinics especially in hard to access areas such as the five Boni villages namely; Mangai, Barsuba, Kiangwe, Mararani, Bodhei and Bargoni.
“These outreaches will also enable the communities to develop a sense of trust with the security agencies that live among them and especially the border patrol unit that lives in close proximity to these villages,” Bakari said.
Lamu Central Deputy County Commissioner Charles Kitheka, who also addressed the media at the medical camp, hailed the initiative as part of the security agencies’ initiatives to create trust within the communities they protect.
“Cooperation between area residents and security agencies is crucial in countering violent extremism and tackling insecurity,” he stated.
In similar fashion, Lamu CEC in charge of Medical Services Dr. Ann Gathoni, commended the security agencies for their timely intervention in providing the medical services through the camp in which Mokowe Kenya Medical Training College student nurses and the Mokowe Sub county hospital staff also collaborated in the effort.
Also speaking on the sidelines of the initiative Kiunga Youth Bunge Programme Manager Stanley Ndungu stated that the initiative is a warm gesture that will aid in countering violent extremism.
He further noted that the outreaches are part of the County Action Plan efforts to ensure that communities living within Lamu work closely with security agencies to stamp out violent extremism.
ENDS
