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Man burnt alive by suspected Shabaab militants in Lamu

Man was burnt alive in his house, he hadn't moved to IDP shelter like otherS.

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by cheti praxides

Counties12 July 2023 - 19:00
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In Summary


  • Armed assailants raided villages, most of which were vacated by residents who every night sleep at Juhudi Primary School IDP camp in Lamu West.
On of six houses burnt by suspected al Shabaab militants at Widho in Lamu West on Wednesday, July 12, at around 2 am.

A farm caretaker was burnt bunt to death in his huse and five other  houses were reduced to  ashes by suspected al Shabaab  militants in Lama and Widho villages of Lamu county.

The attacks were orchestrated on Wednesday at around 2 am.

Armed assailants raided the villages, most of which are vacated by residents who every night sleep at Juhudi Primary School IDP camp in Lamu West.

Area administrators told the Star on Wednesday morning the heavily armed militants torched the five houses and stole household items, including foodstuff before fleeing into nearby Boni Forest.

The caretaker, identified as Lucas Mwang’ombe, was torched inside his house.

“The terrorists raided villages here in Salama and torched houses. They also stole foodstuff, including maize and wheat flour. They slaughtered goats and took the meat.

"The farm caretaker was set ablaze inside his house. We’re here to collect his remains and put out fire,”  a local administrator said, requesting nonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the press.

Meanwhile, there is tension at the Juhudi Primary School camp in Lamu West after an attempt by the armed militia to attack the camp was repulsed by National Police Reservists  in charge of the camp’s security.

The armed militants invaded the camp at around 3am where they shot randomly.

A fire exchange between the terrorists and NPR ensued and lasted for about 30 minutes before the criminals were overpowered and fled to the nearby forest.

One of the NPR officers suffered a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and was rushed to the Mpeketoni subcounty hospital.

“They surrounded the camp before shooting randomly. They even threw two grenades with intention to bomb the camp housing over 200 families," an NPR said.

Butt their attempt failed. We repulsed them. One colleague was shot in the shoulder but he is stable,” he said. 

Efforts to reach Lamu county Commissioner Louis Rono for  comment were unsuccessful as the phone was unanswered.

Charles Wanyoike, one of the displaced persons who talked to the Star,  pleaded with the National Government to deploy armed security officers to he camp.

“We only have between a six to nine  NPR officers guarding the camp at the moment. We want to see regular police and KDF also protecting us here. We feel unsafe at the camp,” Wanyoike said

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