KDF kills five al Shabaab terrorists in Lamu ambush

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Special Forces on Tuesday killed five suspected al-Shabaab militants in an ambush at Lacta Mangai, deep within the Boni Forest, Lamu County.

According to military officials, the troops were on an intelligence-led patrol when they discovered a makeshift militant camp and staged the ambush.

Five suspects were killed in the ensuing clash, while others are believed to have escaped with injuries.

The operation also led to the recovery of significant weapons and supplies, including AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers with warheads, ammunition, solar panels, tents, and materials used in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“Operation Amani Boni remains committed to restoring lasting peace and security in the Boni region, ensuring that families can live without fear,” read a statement from KDF.

Security officials urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help dismantle terror networks in the region.

The successful operation comes amid growing concerns that al-Shabaab fighters are attempting to establish bases within the dense Boni Forest, which straddles the Kenya–Somalia border.

On July 15, three KDF soldiers were killed and seven others injured after their vehicle struck an IED on the Kiunga–Sankuri road in Lamu County. The troops had been transporting colleagues when the explosive detonated at Badaah area.

Such attacks underscore the risks security forces face in Lamu, which has for years been a frontline in Kenya’s battle against al Shabaab.

The county has been the target of multiple deadly assaults, the worst being the coordinated raids in Mpeketoni and Kibaoni on June 15, 2014, when more than 90 people were massacred.

Lamu remains under special security initiatives, including Operation Amani Boni and Operation Linda Boni, both multi-agency missions designed to flush out militants from their hideouts in the forest.

Despite years of operations, militants continue to stage sporadic attacks using ambushes and roadside bombs. More than 100 security personnel have been killed in IED attacks across Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties in recent years.

The insecurity has not only strained security operations but also hampered development in affected areas, where residents live in fear of renewed violence.

Security forces, however, maintain that they are steadily dismantling the militants’ networks and remain focused on restoring peace and stability in Lamu and beyond.