Heavy gunfire as Al Shabaab fighters attack police post in Lamu

The government has deployed Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers to Pandanguo area of Lamu County following an early morning raid by suspected Al Shabaab militants.

Reports indicate that Al Shabaab militants engaged police in heavy gunfire Wednesday, July 5 in an attempted raid on a police post in the Coastal county.

Witu Deputy County Commissioner, Elijah Kipteroi, said that the gunmen attacked the Pandanguo Police Post in Lamu West at around 5:30 am and started spraying bullets at the officers.

The Rapid Deployment Unit, Kenya Police Reservist (KPR) and KDF officers have since been deployed to combat the situation.

“We have sent the police and currently a battle is ongoing between the militia and our police. Most of the residents have sought refuge in the forest and they are safe,” said Mr Kipteroi.

This comes just a fortnight after Interior Cabinet Secretary, Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaisserry, raised concerns that constant terror attacks witnessed over the past few months in Northern Kenya might be as a result of locals colluding with terrorists.

More than 30 people have lost their lives in just one month, June, as a result of a vehicle they were traveling with running over an improvised explosive device (IED).

No casualties have been reported yet.