Residents of Lamu villages attacked by Al-Shabaab living in mental distress

Pamela Ogutu's life is now overshadowed by a darkness that refuses to lift. As a resident of Salama village in Lamu County, she carries the heavy burden of memories from last year's Al-Shabaab attacks, memories of brutal murders and rampant destruction that have scarred her mind.

The horrors she witnessed, including the execution of her nephew, haunt her daily, disrupting her mental peace and making it difficult for her to find solace.

Salama was among the hardest-hit areas in Lamu West by the 2023 terror attacks, leading to the establishment of an IDP camp that only closed in January this year.

The village now feels like a ghost of its former self, haunted by the horrific memories of bloodshed and destruction.

The villages of Salama, Widho, Marafa, Mavuno, Poromoko, and Mashogoni, all bordering the expansive Boni Forest, were frequent targets of Al-Shabaab invasions between June and September.

The attacks claimed over 30 lives and left more than 40 homes, including a church, in ruins.

Survivors, now psychologically tortured, struggle to live in an environment where they once witnessed their loved ones being slaughtered. Their fear is palpable, with every unexpected noise sending them into a panic, fearing the terrorists have returned.

“Since we vacated the camp in January, the situation has not been stable. Our hearts are heavy and filled with fear. Every villager here is mentally disturbed. If one hears a sound or noise near them, they run to hide, thinking Al-Shabaab insurgents have come to finish them off,” said Ogutu.

Pamela Ogutu, a resident of Salama Villagein Lamu West which was among those raided by Al-Shabaab in June 2023. She said the militants hacked her nephew to death and that she now faces a huge mental distress. Photo: Farhiya Hussein

But she is not alone in her suffering. Many other residents share her trauma, going through a similar difficult moment psychologically because of what they went through during the terror attacks and killings in their villages.

Njoroge Ngige, who was the chairperson of the Juhudi Primary School IDP camp, says it was heart-wrenching to watch people being slaughtered by terrorists.

“We no longer have the confidence to sleep in our houses, particularly at night. We can’t also walk alone in these streets. We need assistance, especially mental health counselling,” said Ngige.

According to Andrew Masama, the chairperson of Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) Lamu Branch, counselling is crucial to people who are undergoing or have undergone traumatic experiences.

Masama said that such treatments need to be carried out on time to prevent severe mental breakdown.

He explained that therapists or caregivers can always help survivors or victims of traumatic events get over such horrific incidents and move on with life.

He gave an example of the aftermath of attacks in Mpeketoni in 2014 where his office in coordination with the Kenya Red Cross Society and other partners offered therapeutic sessions to locals.

Mpeketoni had witnessed the worst terrorist attack that left over 90 men killed in one night and property worth millions of shillings destroyed on the June 15, 2014, attack.

“Psychological counselling is vital for victims of terror attacks and any other traumatic incidents. Such sessions normally help them to adapt and move on with life. If left unattended, then the affected individuals remain stagnant as the malicious annihilation of a loved one and the memory will continue to sting them periodically for the rest of their lives,” said Masama.

Apart from the mental anguish, some residents raised concerns about the fate of future generations who have witnessed such magnitudes of violence as children.

Peter Waweru, an elder in Widho, said the hearts of many villagers are filled with anger owing to the atrocities witnessed at the hands of the terrorists.

“You will hear a young man saying ‘If I get a chance to own a gun or join the military or the police force, I will make sure that I finish these Al-Shabaab with bullets’. We’re asking the government to consider bringing in counselling professionals who will help us with therapeutic sessions and help remove the anger and hatred in our hearts. Our minds need to be brought back to normalcy,” said Waweru.

During his visit to all the terror-affected villages of Lamu West recently, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki met and held one-on-one talks with the residents and assured them of their security.

Kindiki had promised to consider counselling for victims, adding that in a month or so, the state would deploy counselling professionals to help the victims recover from the scars of the Al-Shabaab attacks.