Lamu: 2 Shot Dead, 10 Houses Burnt As Al-Shabaab Militants Strike Again

• Fear has gripped Salama village, Lamu West, after al-Shabaab burnt a church, and ten houses and stole goats and electronics in a night attack
• During the attack, the militants destroyed a church, burnt homes, brutalised animals and also stole electronics
• Religious community and the residents called on the government to heighten security in the region after several attacks

Lamu - Villagers of Salama village in Lamu West are gripped by fear after al-Shabaab burned down a church and ten houses and stole goats and electronic equipment on Monday night.

A story published by Taifa Leo said more than 30 suspected terrorists armed with dangerous weapons, including guns and explosives, attacked the village at half-past two on Monday night and burned down the houses and the church before stealing goats, televisions, bamboo solar lights and harvesting corn in the fields and went into hiding in the nearby forest.

"They attacked homes between 8:30pm and 5:00 am, burning eight houses and the Salama Redeemed Gospel Church. They also slaughtered seven goats and left them there. They stole nine mature goats, a television, flour and even harvested fresh corn from the fields before disappearing into the forest," a police officer said.

Insecurity in Lamu

The Bishop of the Redeemed Gospel Church that was burned in Salama village, Peter Muthengi said the property that was reduced to ashes in the Church is valued at over KSh 300,000.

Preaching peace, Bishop Muthengi said piano microphones, speakers and chairs were burned in the night raid.

The bishop has asked the government to strengthen security in the villages, insisting that in recent days many residents have been sleeping in the forest while others are escaping to the Juhudi Primary School camp due to fear for their safety.

A General Service Unit officer serving in the Special Operations Group (SOG) who spoke to TUKO.co.ke confirmed that the security situation in the area is dire.

He explained that residents are living in fear and the security teams are ambushed over time, exposing residents to the unforgiving wrath of the assailants.

Over the past few months, suspected al-Shabaab attacks have been reported in Lamu.

Member of County Assembly attacked in Lamu

In another unfortunate attack, suspected al-Shabaab militants attacked a Member of County Assembly from Lamu and his wife while travelling.

Lamu West Deputy County Commissioner Gabriel Kioni confirmed the attack on Hindi MCA James Njaaga and his wife.

According to coast-based radio Mo Radio, special forces in the area rescued them from the attackers' hands, and they were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.