Al Shabaab cell operative escapes police dragnet

Armed police officers patrols within some of the streets in Mpeketoni as security has been beefed up in the town and the troubled villages. Photo by Gideon Maundu

Lamu, Kenya: Security forces stormed a house on the remote Kiwayu island in search for local Al Shabaab cell operative Famau Kahre.

A special squad from the Administration Police's Rapid Deployment Unit landed on Kiwayu island in the Indian Ocean on Thursday and went to the house where Kahre was believed to be hiding.

Lamu County Commissioner Stephen Ikua, said police stormed the house after the occupants defied orders to open.

Mr Ikua told The Standard on Saturday that when the police stormed in, a man charged at them and attempted to hack them as another occupant escaped through the roof.

He said officers opened fire on the man to immobilise him, hitting him in the waist and he is now admitted at the King Fahd Hospital in Lamu County.

The suspect is among seven detained in connection with the Mpeketoni killings, adding that their interrogation helped produce vital intelligence leading to Thursday's clash with security forces at Bodhai in Ijara that left five militants dead.

Some officials suspect Kahre escaped as police stormed the house.

The officers acted after they received intelligence reports that the suspect was on the island. Ikua Friday announced that displaced victims from Mpeketoni are now receiving relief supplies.

He disclosed that on Thursday, they received Sh6 million from the county government and Sh3 million from the national government to support families who lost their kin in the violence.

The government also supplied 300 bags of maize, 800 bags of rice, blankets and sanitary towels to the families.

Meanwhile, Inspector General (IG) of Police David Kimaiyo has promoted seven officers at Mpeketoni for their bravery in confronting attackers who left mover 50 people dead on Sunday night.

Kimaiyo and the National Police Service Commission, said the officers did a commendable job. The IG at the same time met chiefs from Lamu West sub county and discussed matters of community policing.