One person was killed and nine houses torched by suspected Al Shabaab militants in Lamu.
The attack happened Saturday night at Marafa and Poromoko in Lamu West sub-county.
According to residents, the assailants who escaped and raided their homes were heavily armed.
The latest attack comes in the wake of heightened operations to address the terror-related menace in the region.
No arrests have been made even as police who appealed for calm launched investigations.
President William Ruto has sent a message of condolence to the families and friends of the Kenya Defence Forces officers who died in the Lamu helicopter crash.
In a statement, President Ruto said the country honors their bravery in defending and protecting Kenya’s sovereignty. He condoled with the entire force and all those that have been affected by the tragedy.
“Our condolences to the families and friends on the heartbreaking loss of our heroes in the Lamu helicopter crash. We honour their bravery in defending and protecting Kenya’s sovereignty. Our prayers are with the Kenya Defence Forces and all those that have been affected by the tragedy” he said.
KDF has since constituted a Board of Inquiry to probe the fatal crash. The Department of Defence said in a statement that the Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter crashed while on night patrol in Lamu, which has in the recent past witnessed an upsurge in terrorist attacks.
It said the crew and other military personnel onboard were part of an air surveillance squadron intensifying day and night patrols and surveillance for the ongoing Operation Amani Boni.
While the department did not disclose the exact number of casualties, it expressed its condolences to the families of the military personnel who lost their lives in the crash.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale regretted that the unfortunate fatality has caused unprecedented losses over the gains made in the ongoing military operation.
“To the fallen heroes, today our national flag flies with the last breath of each of you. Soldier on, Patriots!” he said on X.
Our hearts and prayers stretch out to the families and friends in the Lamu helicopter crash.
This unfortunate fatality has caused unprecedented losses over the gains made in the on-going military operation.
To the fallen heroes, today our national flag flies with the last…
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) September 19, 2023
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki is in Lamu County to address a raft of security matters, after a spate of terror attacks in the county.
The CS has officially opened Lamu East Sub-County Headquarters and held a briefing session with the Coast Regional, Lamu County, and Lamu East Sub-County Security and Intelligence Committees.
Kindiki will also address a security baraza at Faza in Pate Island. The visit comes two days after several Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldiers on patrol were injured after running over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
KDF immediately condemned the criminal activities that have been disrupting movement and sabotage of socio-economic stability in Lamu County.
Security agencies have called upon residents to share information with relevant security agencies on any suspicious persons and any criminal activity in efforts to improve security in the region.
Tourism stakeholders have also decried the attacks expressing concerns that they may impact negatively the tourism sector.
Talks between the government and the opposition resume in earnest; what next North Eastern? We look into the root cause of insecurity in the area; and NTSA welcomes the government’s announcement on removal of roadblocks.
60 Al-shabaab militants who were involved in yesterday’s Lamu attack have been killed. Interior Cabinet Secretary reveled that security operation conducted yesterday neutralized the terrorists along Lamu –Garsen.