For years, since 2008, Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam had been boasting every time a tourist was kidnapped or killed in & from Lamu or foreign & local aid workers were kidnapped from Daadab; They ALWAYS released official press statements praising Allah for helping them carry out the kidnappings without getting caught; And demanded at least USD 500k as ransom, which they were paid many times;
Now when Kenya decided to retaliate and launched Operation Linda Nchi, the next day Al Shabaab press guy was intervewed by France24, and the leader unequivocally DENIED THAT THEY HAD EVER kidnapped any citizens or tourists from Kenya, or even entered Kenyan territory. Infact he said and I quote:
“Harakat Al-Shebab Al Mujahideen hereby categorically denies all charges pertaining to the kidnapping of tourists and aid workers from inside Kenya … The allegations put forward by the Kenyan authorities with regard to the recent kidnappings are, at best, unfounded and … not substantiated with any verifiable evidence. They are not in any way, shape or form attributable to Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen”