KDF Kill 60 Terrorists, Foil Plot To Attack 200 People- CS Kindiki

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, August 2 revealed that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) killed all 60 terrorists involved in the Tuesday attack which tragically led to the death of two Kenyans.

While appearing before the Senate Committee on Education, Kindiki revealed that the terrorists had attacked members of the public at the intersection of Lamu and Tana River and that the operation, which was decisive and prompt, continued until this morning.

The Cabinet Secretary provided reassurance to Kenyans that all threats were effectively neutralised, allaying fears of increasing terror attacks in the country.

Interior CS, Kithure Kindiki appearing before the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Education on August 2, 2023. /KITHURE KINDIKI

“We had an attack yesterday at the intersection of Lamu and Tana River where the public was attacked by over 60 armed terrorists in different groups and the target was to harm more people.

"That operation has been going on since yesterday and I can report that all the terrorists who attacked our people have been neutralized,” said Kindiki.

According to Kindiki, the terror group was targeting travellers in buses along the Lamu-Witu Garsen Highway, whose plot was foiled by the presence of the Special Operations Group patrolling in the vicinity.

The CS further noted that the notorious group was seeking to attack four different passenger buses, putting the lives of 200 people at risk.

“These people were targeting to harm passengers in four different buses carrying a total of 200 people. But luckily we do security patrols on the Lamu and Garsen highway and the agencies were nearby and the response was first.

"We, unfortunately, lost one person on the spot while another died on the way to the hospital,” Kindiki added, noting that none of the officers were killed during the attack.

The CS however complained about Kenyans harbouring such terror groups including providing them with food and hosting them in their houses, one of the major issues the government has been struggling in terms of dealing with the groups.

On Tuesday, August 1, two people died, including the wife of Hindi MCA Kariuki Njagaa, while at least 10 others were injured. The attack that took place at 7.40 am saw the suspected terrorists attack travellers along the Lamu-Witu- Garsen Highway, at Lango la Simba.

"One (1) person was killed, approximately ten (10) others injured, while a yet-to-be-determined number are missing.

"Security personnel from the Nyangoro Forward Operating Base (FOB) who were conducting clearance patrols along the highway responded rapidly and an engagement with the approximately sixty (60) terrorists ensued, scattering them into the Boni Forest," read the statement by the Ministry of Interior in part.

CS Kindiki resultantly revealed that a combined security operation of elite officers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service (NPS) was deployed to the area.

According to reports, the MCA was travelling with his family when their vehicle came under attack. Following the ambush, several of the MCA's family members sustained injuries.