Kenya plans to build a wall along its border with Somalia, where the jihadist terrorist group Al-Shabaab is based, to enhance security.
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy told local media that the wall along a portion of the border in Lamu County would help prevent illegal immigrants from crossing into Kenya.
However, Kenya is also on high security alert after a number of terror attacks, including ones in the tourist resort of Lamu (pictured) last year. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the Westgate mall attack in Nairobi in 2013.
"I have been briefed about the plan and construction works will begin soon. We expect to have finished the project before the end of the year," Timamy told the public at Faza Social Hall in Lamu East Sub-County last month.
The areas to be secured include Ishakani and Ras Kamboni in Kiunga. "This is where immigrants have been arrested trying to cross into the country or having already entered through the border in Lamu," Timamy said, adding: "This is a good idea and we support it because we believe it will go a long way to secure this region and indeed, the country as a whole."
Photograph: Lamu Island, Kenya. The touristic area has been hit by deadly terror attacks (Erik Hersman/Wikimedia Commons)
