By Lamu Reporter
Lamu leaders have come out strongly against the abduction of a prominent Witu-based businessman, Mohammed Muse Mire, who was reportedly picked up by suspected officers of the Special Operations Group (SOG) over alleged links to the proscribed Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
Speaking in Mokowe today, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy termed the abduction a setback to the gains the country has made in curbing unlawful detentions, and called for Mire’s immediate release.
The Governor revealed that he had been in communication with Mire shortly before his detention. Mire also serves as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party’s pointman for Witu Ward.
“Mire is known as a businessman, and the only way he could have been detained is by some unknown people providing security agencies with the wrong information on him,” Governor Timamy said, describing Mire as a standout member of the county.
He appealed directly to President William Ruto and security agencies to secure Mire’s release, adding that he had already begun reaching out to senior security officials on the matter.
“I will be pursuing this matter intensely,” the Governor said, noting he had placed calls to the respective security agencies’ top brass in an effort to have Mire released.
The Governor’s sentiments were echoed by Lamu Woman Representative aspirant Nana Mote, who described the detention as wrong and unlawful.
“The president in his past speeches and during his inauguration speech said that there will be no more unlawful detainment,” Mote said.
She warned that the manner of Mire’s arrest, which she called callous, risked undermining the goodwill Lamu residents have built with security agencies over time.
Witu-based religious cleric Sheikh Maalim Bashir also addressed the matter, saying Mire’s family and residents of Witu Ward were living in anxiety and fear over the possibility of further arrests carried out in a similar manner.
Nominated Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Aisha Abdi Rahman added her voice to the growing calls, urging security agencies to either release Mire immediately or present him before a court of law.
