Govt bans broadcast of video shot by Al Shabaab during Lamu attack

The government has warned media houses and bloggers against broadcasting in way of publishing, airing, or distributing video clips purportedly shot by Al Shabaab militants prior to and during the botched attack on a military camp in Lamu two weeks ago.

In a heavily worded statement, Interior Cabinet Secretary Major Gen. (Rtd) Joseph Nkaissery warned that the government “will take severe legal measures against anyone who jeopardizes the country’s national security by distributing, airing or publishing such incendiary material.”

Nkaissery warned that broadcast or distribution of such material contravenes the Kenya Information and Communication Act (CAP 411a).

His sentiments followed the release of video clips detailing the aborted Al Shabaab raid in a Kenya Defense base in Lamu.

An ITV news exclusive footage showed the gun battle in which the British jihadist Thomas Evans, who was purportedly shooting the video, was killed as he tried to capture the attack and the painstaking manner in which the attackers had prepared themselves.

Following the killing of Mr. Evans, the National Police Service released pictures of 40 suspects believed to have been in the group of over 160 members of Al Shabaab whose plans to attack Kenya were thwarted.

The pictures were apparently retrieved from the Al Shabaab camera that was filming their foiled ambush.

It is said that 160 militiamen belonging to an Al Shabaab cell known as Jesh Ayman were planning to ambush Baure Military Camp in Lamu when the Kenyan soldiers repelled them killing 16 of them in the process.