Workers shun Lamu Port project, demand heightened security
Murimi Mutiga and Sophie Njoka
Construction works at the multi-billion-shilling Lamu Port have been suspended after workers kept off the site yesterday demanding security assurance.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) said yesterday that security in the area remains volatile and the more than 2,000 workers fear for their lives following the Sunday dawn attack on the nearby US military base.
Lamu Port head engineer Dan Hamadi said the Chinese contractor undertaking the Sh2.5 trillion Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport corridor project is expected to resume work on Monday.
He said additional police officers had been deployed at the port to beef up security.
“It is true that the work has been suspended because workers are still frightened. We are planning to resume work on Monday after security situation improves,” Hamadi said.
On Monday KPA Managing Director Daniel Manduku had indicated that China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) would return to the site yesterday.
militants sighted
Meanwhile, police believe 11 suspected al Shabaab militants said to have taken part in the attacks on buses and a military base in Lamu were spotted by herders on Monday.
The heavily-armed jihadists emerged warned herders at Kilelengwani area in Tana River county that they would return to kill them if they report on their movement.
Area county police commander Fredrick Ochieng said that a herder reported the incident at the Kilelengwani police post. The header who reported said some of the gunmen spoke in Kiswahili and Somali.
