A horrific attack by al-Shabaab militants took place in Salama and Juhudi villages in Mkunumbi Division, Lamu County. According to witnesses and police, the attackers arrived at the villages around 7:30 PM on Saturday 24 June 2023.
They forcefully dragged the victims, all men, out of their homes, tied their hands and legs behind their backs and executed them by beheading. Among the victims was 19-year-old Barack Hussein, a Form 3 student from Bakania Secondary School who had just returned home for half-term break.
Women were separated from the men and taken to different rooms before being released. The attackers slaughtered the five men, looted food items, chickens, and goats, and then set a store on fire.
Lamu County security teams responded to the incident, but no arrests were made. County Commissioner Louis Rono confirmed the attack but did not provide further details. The area has been tense due to the ongoing threat of attacks by the al-Shabaab terrorist group.
This attack is the latest in a series of similar incidents in the region. In January 2022, the same villages of Salama and Juhudi were raided by Al Shabaab. This attack resulted in the killing of six people and the destruction of more than 10 houses.
The attack occurred a week after two Kenyan Defense Forces soldiers were killed and others injured when their vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) near the Kenya-Somalia border. The terrorists have been planting bombs along routes in the area, leading to the deaths of at least 30 people.
This attack coincides with the nine-year anniversary of the attack on Mpeketoni and the surrounding areas. The horrific Mpeketoni attack claimed the lives of 90 people and displaced many others.
Government allocates funds for fight against terror
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki recently visited Lamu on a three-day tour to assess the security situation. During the visit, Kindiki assured Lamu residents and the entire country that their safety is guaranteed. Kindiki also stated that the government has allocated 20 billion shillings to purchase advanced security equipment. This includes armored personnel carriers, drones, and other gadgets, to enhance the capability of security agencies in combating terrorism.
The border region continues to face repeated attacks from al-Shabaab militants, who often receive assistance from local collaborators. Somalia has struggled to establish a stable government since the fall of Siad Barre in 1991. The proximity of the area to the Somalia border allows militants to cross over and carry out attacks. They then cross back through the porous border and escape back into Somalia.
Al-Shabaab’s relentless attacks on civilians, security forces, and public targets have claimed numerous innocent lives in the region. The incidents unfortunately seem to have escalated in recent months.
US offers reward for information on militants’ leaders
In an effort to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s leadership, the United States has announced a $5 million reward for information leading to the capture of Abdullahi Osman Mohamed, known as Engineer Ismail. This high-value target holds dual roles within the extremist group as its senior explosives expert. He is also the leader of the influential media wing, Al-Kataib.
The reward announcement follows a previous one by the US, that doubled the bounty on Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Umar Abu Ubaidah to $10 million.
