Officer injured after explosive is thrown at group in Lamu

An Administration police officer and a National Youth Service excavator machine operator have been injured in Lamu County after they were attacked by suspected Al-Shabaab members.

According to Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri, a home-made bomb exploded injuring the officers on Usalama Road, where a wall is being built to separate the county from neighbouring Somalia.

The 9am attack happened just 600 metres from Usalama camp in Kiunga Division.

“We suspect those who planted the [home-made bomb] are Al-Shabaab militants but so far all is well since security has been beefed up in the area. The injured have also been evacuated to Nairobi for treatment. I call on residents to be vigilant and calm,” said Mr Kanyiri.

Police sources on the ground who talked to theNation said the AP officer sustained multiple fractures in both legs and that the excavator operator escaped with minor injuries.

The hurt officer was providing security for the National Youth Service driver.

The incident comes just a week after more than five Kenya Defence Forces soldiers escaped death narrowly when their military tank ran over a home-made bomb in Kiunga Division of Lamu East Sub-County on July 25.

The soldiers were using the tank to clear bushes along Usalama Road, where the security wall is being built.

Al-Shabaab militants have been terrorising the region for the past two years.

On July 14 this year, a suspected Al-Shabaab terrorist was killed while a police officer was injured when a group of over 20 heavily armed terrorists attacked the Mangai Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) camp in Basuba Ward of Lamu East Sub-County.

One AK-47 rifle and three magazines full of ammunition were seized from the militants.

On July 10, 14 GSU officers also escaped death narrowly when suspected Al-Shabaab militants hurled an explosive devise at their armoured personnel carrier at Baure in Lamu East

 

Source:Daily Nation/Kenya