One Killed As Al Shabaab Burn Down 7 Houses In Lamu

Suspected Al Shabaab militants have killed one person and set seven homes on fire during a raid that occurred in the Widhu area, Mkunumbi ward in Lamu County.

The attack adds to the increasing number of daring attacks by the notorious terrorist group on innocent people while destroying key infrastructure, ignoring government threats issued against them.

Reports indicate that before setting the houses ablaze, the militants killed a security guard who was working at Majembeni Primary School.

Scene after a house was torched by suspected Al Shabaab militants on September 20, 2023. /MOSES KOECH.X

Military strategic communications boss Brigadier Zipporah Kioko noted in a statement that the ongoing Multi-agency Operation Amani Boni will help restore calm in the area.

According to Kioko, the operations in Lamu, Garissa, Tana River, and Kilifi will play a key role in cracking down on the terrorist group.

The villages of Widhu, Salama, and Juhudi, nestled in the rural parts of the county, have been repeatedly targeted by terrorists, forcing many residents to abandon their homes in search of safer havens.

In a period of four months, these villages have witnessed more than six such attacks, resulting in the destruction of over 40 homes by suspected Al Shabaab militants, and the tragic loss of over ten lives.

The terrorists have continued to troop from Southern Somalia and bases in Boni Forest, wreaking havoc in the area and mounting near-daily attacks.

The Wednesday ambush occurred before Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki's scheduled meeting with the Security and Intelligence Committees of the Coast Regional, Tana River County, and Galledyertu Sub-County.

The session involving the leadership of Tana River County is headed by Tana River County Governor Godhana Dhadho and Senator Danson Mungatana.

On Sunday, September 10, a number of Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldiers were injured after a vehicle they were travelling in ran over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Lamu County.

"On 10th Sept 2023, KDF soldiers on patrol along the Milimani Baure road in Lamu County ran over an IED.

"The injured were airlifted to Manda Base Hospital for medical care," stated KDF in part.