Five Killed, Houses Torched In A Terror Attack In Lamu

LAMU Kenya June 24 -Five people were killed and their houses torched in an alShabaab attack in two villages of Mkunumbi, Lamu County on the night of June 24.

Among the deceased is a 60-year-old man was bound with a rope before the attackers slit his throat and set his house ablaze.

According the the National Police Service (NPS) headquarters, three others were killed in a similar manner while a fifth victim was shot.

Witnesses and police said the attackers raided the villages at around 7.30 pm, dragged the victims from their houses and tied their hands and legs with ropes behind their backs before executing them.

All the victims were men, including a Form Three Student from Bakanja Secondary School, identified as Barack Hussein, 19 who had just come home for the half-term break.

County Commissioner, Louis Rono said officers had rushed to the scenes of the attacks but no suspect had been arrested.

“There was an attack and our officers have been at the scene however no suspect has been arrested. Detectives have launched investigations,” he said.

A group of over 30 men, armed with guns, machetes and knives and donning military regalia raided the village and ordered those present to lie down and not raise any alarm.

“They led women to different rooms before they later set them free. They then slaughtered the five men,” a survivor said. The Saturday night Lamu terror attack victims

The killed have been identified as Samuel Chomba Gacurai aged 60 who was attacked outside his house.

The student was attacked outside his grandmother’s house. They slit his throat and stabbed him in the stomach. They also burnt his grandmother’s house and stole Sh60,000 and two mobile phones.

Another victim, Reuben Mwangi 33 was blindfolded with a black cloth and his throat slit. His house was burnt with all the belongings and 20 goats stolen.

Peter Mureithi Githinji 40 was shot dead outside his house and his right hand broken. His house was burnt including his motorcycle and bicycle plus other household items.

“Mwenda alias ‘Sumbua’, 38 also had his throat slit after he was tied on both legs and hands,” police said.

The attackers also burnt houses belonging to Elizabeth Wairimu, Daniel Njogu Mureithi, Ndei, Lawrence Kinyua Gitari, Gilbert Mwangi and Harrison Njogu Miano, a National Police reservist.

They also stole his three goats and unknown number of chicken.

Security officers recovered four spent cartridges, one live ammunition and the dust plate of an AK47 rifle and one used glove.

The attackers then disappeared towards the Boni forest.

In January 2022, armed men also raided the same Salama and Juhudi villages and killed six people and torched over ten houses.

The attack happened exactly a week after at least three Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers were killed as they responded to an attack on a General Service Unit (GSU) team in the same Lamu county.