It is reported that at least five men have been brutally beheaded and numerous houses set ablaze in a vicious attack carried out by the group al Shabaab.
The assault took place in Salama and Juhudi villages, located in the Mkunumbi Division of Lamu County.
Witness accounts and police reports indicate that the attackers, armed with guns, machetes, and knives, stormed the villages at approximately 7.30 pm on Saturday.
The victims, including 19-year-old Barack Hussein, a Form Three student, were dragged from their homes, bound with ropes, and executed. Despite the swift response of Lamu County security teams, no arrests have been made thus far.
This horrifying incident underscores the ongoing security concerns in the area, which has been plagued by the threat of terrorism.
The attackers, numbering over 30, wore military attire as they descended upon the unsuspecting residents.
They ordered everyone to lie down and refrain from raising an alarm. Women were separated from the men and held in different rooms before eventually being released.
The assailants looted food items, chickens, and goats before setting a store on fire. Unfortunately, this is not the first time such a heinous attack has occurred in Salama and Juhudi villages.
In January 2022, six people were killed, and over ten houses were torched in a similar raid.
These acts of violence coincide with recent incidents along the Kenya-Somalia border. Just a week prior to the Lamu County attack, two Kenya Defense Forces troops lost their lives and others were injured when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED).
The terrorists have been increasingly planting bombs near the border, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 individuals, including security personnel, in recent months.
The region has long been a target for militants due to its proximity to Somalia, where a stable government has been absent since the downfall of Siad Barre in 1991.
Efforts to combat the menace of terrorism have been ongoing, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki recently visiting Lamu to assess the security situation.
He assured residents and the nation at large that the government is committed to their safety, with plans to allocate Sh20 billion towards the acquisition of advanced security equipment for security agencies.
The attack in Lamu County serves as a stark reminder of the persisting threat posed by al Shabaab and the need for intensified security measures in the region.
The government’s pledge to allocate substantial funds to enhance security equipment reflects their determination to combat terrorism effectively.
As the community mourns the loss of lives and grapples with the aftermath of the brutal assault, it is clear that collaborative efforts are required to address the underlying factors that contribute to the vulnerability of the area.
