Security heightened in Lamu over fears of Al-Shabaab attack

Coast Regional Co-ordinator Nelson Marwa (left) with Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri (right) during a past event. Security has been beefed up in the entire Basuba Ward of Lamu East Sub-County after over 50 heavily armed men suspected to be Al-Shabaab militants were spotted on the Kiangwe-Majengo road. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Speaking to the Nation in his office on Tuesday, Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri said security officers on Monday received information from the public after a sizeable number of people suspected to be Al-Shabaab militants were sighted in the area.
  • They are also said to have fired randomly at the camp but security officers returned fierce fire and overpowered the militants who later fled into the expansive Boni forest.

Security has been beefed up in the entire Basuba Ward of Lamu East Sub-County after over 50 heavily armed men suspected to be Al-Shabaab militants were spotted on the Kiangwe-Majengo road.

Speaking to the Nation in his office on Tuesday, Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri said security officers on Monday received information from the public after a sizeable number of people suspected to be Al-Shabaab militants were sighted in the area.

Mr Kanyiri said security officers were immediately deployed in the area to ascertain and assess the situation but no one was found.

He said the KDF and the various police units on the ground were however still pursuing all leads in order to ascertain the reports and called for calm saying the situation was under control.

“The situation is being monitored and people should not be worried,” said Mr Kanyiri.

He said more security officers including the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldiers, General Service Unit (GSU), Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) and other security agents were sent to the area to enhance both ground and air patrols to ensure the locals are protected.

“The area is currently under heavy military and police surveillance and we call on members of the public to give information concerning anyone or anything they feel could jeopardize security,” said Mr Kanyiri.

On Sunday evening, Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) officers at the Mangai RDU camp in Lamu East repulsed an attempted Al-Shabaab attack on the camp.

Police reports indicate that a gang of heavily armed militants attempted to raid the camp at around 4.30pm.

They are said to have fired two rocket propelled grenades at the camp.

They are also said to have fired randomly at the camp but security officers returned fierce fire and overpowered the militants who later fled into the expansive Boni forest.