Killed al Shabaab militia planned to overrun a security installation - KDF

Five al Shabaab terrorists killed on Tuesday in an ambush in Lacta Mangai within the expansive Boni Forest, Lamu County, were planning to overrun a security installation, officials said.

Such past attacks have left dozens of security agents killed and wounded, with installations looted and razed down.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Special Forces team killed the five terrorists in an ambush while acting on an intelligence-led patrol in the area.

The team said they had averted a major attack as they urged continued vigilance in the area.

A statement said the team discovered and neutralised a makeshift al Shabaab camp, killing the five terrorists while others escaped with injuries.

The operation also resulted in the recovery of significant al Shabaab operational items, including AK-47 rifles, RPG launchers with warheads, rounds of ammunition, solar panels, tents, and various materials used for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The gang had planned to plant the IEDs on major routes used by security agencies to cause more deaths and damage, officials said separately.

“Operation Amani Boni (OAB) remains committed to restoring lasting peace and security in the Boni region, ensuring that families can live without fear,” the statement said. KDF called on citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to support the mission.

More personnel have been deployed to the area to pursue leads that the gangs have set up more camps with plans for attacks.

This is the latest operation in the area amid fears the terror group has been trying to establish bases for attacks.

On July 15, 2025, at least three KDF soldiers were killed while seven others sustained injuries following an explosion on their vehicle on the Kiunga-Sankuri road in Lamu County.

The incident occurred after an improvised explosive device went off at Badaah area, police and witnesses said.

Police explained that the soldiers were en route to Sankuri to transport their colleagues when their vehicle hit an IED on the way back near Kiunga.

Lamu is under Operation Amani Boni, aimed at driving out al Shabaab gangs operating in the area.

The county has for years been the scene of terrorist attacks targeting both locals and security officers.

The most devastating strike happened in Mpeketoni and Kibaoni on the night of June 15, 2014, when more than 90 people were killed.

The area is under the special operation code-named Operation Linda Boni to flush out the terrorists.

The multi-agency operation seeks to eliminate al Shabaab militants from Boni Forest.

More than 100 security agents have been killed in Lamu, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties in IED attacks in past years, affecting development in the region.