Suspected militants kill one, torch nine houses in flood-hit Lamu county

A 62-year-old man was killed and nine houses were set on fire in Marafa village, Lamu County, in fresh attacks by suspected militants on Saturday.

The villagers, who were already facing the threat of floods, had to flee their homes and seek shelter at a nearby primary school.

Abdulhakim Mohamud, a Red Cross officer, said the villagers had been requested to move from their homes to safer grounds due to the ongoing floods.

“Our concern is that the villages have flooded, and when we visited them for an assessment, locals were camping at Juhudi primary,” he said.

He said there are plans to have a meeting with different stakeholders for a way forward.

Lamu West Deputy County Commissioner Kibochi Kioni said the affected people will move to Majembeni Primary School. He condemned the attacks and urged the residents to remain calm as security forces pursue the attackers.

This year, the area has witnessed three major attacks that have left approximately 12 people dead, houses torched, animals killed and others stolen.

In June, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said a police camp will be built in Juhudi village to boost security, a collective effort between the national government and the county government.