Lamu: Fatal Attack Claims 2 Lives, Destroys 9 Homes
In yet another attack in troubled Lamu County, suspected terrorists attacked motorists in the Lango la Simba area and Salama village, killing two and torching nine homes.
After the Monday night attack, which was the third in the area within two months, more than twenty families were rendered destitute. The Redeemed Gospel Church, where villagers worship on Sundays, was also destroyed.
Alex Githinji, a resident at Salama, said: “Simu ya kwanza nilipata saa mbili na nusu kwa mkazi wa Salama akaniambia ameona watu akarusha mshale na akawakosa naye akakimbia, walienda kwa maboma wakachoma moja moja.”
Jana saa tatu usiku tuliweza kuvamiwa na watu wasiojulikana na kufanya madhara haya, nimejua baadaye kwamba wameteketeza kanisa lakini walifika karibu nyumbani wakateteketeza manyumba ya majirani.
Residents who spent the night in the forest following the attack reported that the terrorists also stole 22 goats, 42 chickens, and 15 sacks of harvested maize.
Beatrice Nyambura, another resident, said; “Mimi naomba tu watusaidie kwa sababu hii eneo ni mara kadhaa tumevamiwa, wanaume wameuawa, kuchomewa manyumba, leo hii ndio hatukuuawa mtu lakini mbuzi yetu na mali yetu imeenda.”
Lamu Kenya Red Cross Coordinator Abdulhakim Abdul remarked, “Wamefanya uharibifu kiasi kikubwa katika mashamba watu wamelima na wako tayari kuvuna chakula… mashamba yamenawiri, lakini ukiangalia watu wamevuna.”
After attacking the village, the terrorists relocated to the adjacent Pandanguo GSU Camp.
Gabriel Kioni, deputy county commander for Lamu West, stated, “Walienda pia wakawavamia kituo cha GSU pale Pandanguo lakini hawakufaulu kupenya…walikabiliana nao na wakakuwa overpowered.”
The group prepared a trap along the Lamu – Witu – Garsen road, where they killed the truck driver Kaingu Godo and his assistant.
The two were transporting construction materials from Mombasa to Lamu when they were assaulted in Lango la Simba, an area that has been prone to attacks in recent years despite the presence of heavy security.
The most recent attack comes just one week after three persons were reported missing after a terrorist attack along the same road.
Two weeks prior, the vehicle of Hindi MCA James Njaaga was attacked, resulting in the death of two persons. The MCA was wounded by gunfire during the assault.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki is expected to tour the troubled county on Wednesday to assess the situation. Earlier this month, he told parliamentarians that terrorists have murdered tens of Kenyans, including 29 security officers.
Twenty persons were killed by terrorists in Lamu, Mandera, Garissa, and Wajir counties alone during June.
Lamu: Fatal Attack Claims 2 Lives, Destroys 9 Homes