Two pupils who were missing following shabaab attack found

Some of the survivors of the Mararani roadside bomb attack that claimed eight lives including four pupils and four police officers. PHOTO | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Two out of the four pupils who went missing after a police vehicle they were travelling in ran over a landmine killing eight people in Lamu have been found.

The Rapid Border Patrol Unit (RBPU) lorry with more than 20 police officers on board was heading to Kiunga but on reaching Mararani, 14 pupils took a lift to Kiunga Primary School.

Minutes later, the vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb suspected to have been planted by Al-Shabaab militants.

Eight people including four police officers and four pupils died while more than five pupils were reported missing.

But speaking to the Nation on Wednesday, Lamu East sub-county administrator Shee Kupi said one of the missing pupils was found on Tuesday evening while the second one was found early Wednesday in a nearby forest.

CRITICAL CONDITION

Both pupils have serious wounds and are in critical condition.

“One has a serious wound on the face and skull while the other pupil has both of his legs broken," said Mr Kupi.

He said the pupils have have been airlifted to Magogoni Naval base where arrangements to have them transported to Nairobi for specialised treatment is underway.

Mr Kupi said burial arrangements for the four pupils who died in the incident were also underway.

“We will bury them today at Mararani village since all of them were Muslims who had just celebrated their Eid-Ul-Fitr and were heading back school at Kiunga Primary School,” he said.

CONDOLENCENCES

Meanwhile, Lamu leaders led by Governor Issa Timamy and his Deputy Eric Mugo have condemned the Tuesday attack.

While sending his condolences to the bereaved families, Mr Timamy termed terrorism as a global menace that needs concerted efforts to be addressed.

Mr Timamy urged the government to do more to secure volatile areas in the county.

He however pledged support for the families that lost their loved ones in the attack and also those who were injured.

“It is unfortunate that we have lost innocent children and our security officers in yet another terror attack less than a month after the Baure attack,” said Mr Timamy.

Lamu Deputy Governor Eric Mugo said, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of souls of young children who are a bright future to this county after meeting their untimely death on their way to Kiunga from Mararani. May Allah rest the innocent souls in eternal peace. To our fallen soldiers, you will forever remain our heroes. Our hearts and prayers are with you all.”

MANHUNT

Elsewhere, security officers from various units have already launched a manhunt for the suspected Al-Shabaab militants who killed the eight people  and later fled into the expansive Boni Forest.

“More officers have also been deployed to flush out the militants from the forest. No one has so far been arrested though,” said a police officer on the ground who talked to the Nation on condition of anonymity.

Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri and the Linda Boni Operation Director James Ole Serian remained silent on the matter as they could not respond to phone calls or text messages.