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Two people were killed in a morning attack by suspected Al-Shabaab militants on the Lamu – Witu Garsen highway at Lango la Simba area, near the Lamu and Tana River border.

The attackers fired indiscriminately at moving vehicles that were plying the route, killing the two instantly. Among those who died during the attack is the spouse to Hindi Member of County Assembly (MCA) Njaaga Kariuki who died on her way to hospital after being shot in the head.

The MCA who was in the company of the deceased is, however, in stable condition at a local hospital after he sustained gunshot wounds on the leg. The couple’s two-year-old minor escaped unhurt. According to the police, 10 people were injured during the attack that took place at around 7:30 am Ongoing investigations have revealed that the heavily armed militants waylaid vehicles on the highway after taking cover in nearby bushes on both sides of the road.

Investigations have further revealed that the first vehicle that was sprayed with bullets belonged to Hindi GK prison. The vehicle had left Lamu for Mombasa; however, the driver of the vehicle managed to escape.

Another government vehicle from the Fisheries department was also shot at.In a statement, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki confirmed the incident, describing it as “ a terror attack.”The CS noted that security personnel from the Nyangoro Forward Operating Base (FOB) who were conducting clearance patrols along the highway responded rapidly and engaged the terrorists estimated to be 60 in number.
“Over 60 militants were overpowered by Special Forces and fled into Boni forest,” he said.

He noted that a search and rescue operation was ongoing for an unknown number of people who are believed to have been kidnapped by the militants.

“A combined security operation of elite contingents of the National Police Service and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is currently underway, treatment of the injured as well as the search and rescue of missing civilians is ongoing,” he said.