Security has been intensified in Garissa and Lamu counties following deadly improvised explosive device (IED) attacks that claimed the lives of five people, including three Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers. The separate incidents occurred on Sunday and Tuesday, raising fears of more terror-related activities in the region.
The most recent attack occurred on Tuesday, July 15, when an IED exploded along the Kiunga-Sankuri road in the Badaah area of Lamu County. The explosion targeted a military vehicle ferrying soldiers from a routine operation. According to KDF, three soldiers died on the spot while seven others sustained injuries and were evacuated to Kiunga Hospital for treatment.
In a statement, the KDF mourned the fallen soldiers, hailing them as heroes who “paid the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the citizens of Kenya.” Following the attack, a multi-agency security team launched a major operation to track down the perpetrators. Security has since been heightened along key routes to restrict the movement of suspected militants.
Intelligence reports suggest that the Somalia-based terror group al-Shabaab may have dispatched operatives to execute more attacks in Kenya’s northeastern and coastal regions. Locals in Lamu and Garissa have expressed growing concern over the escalating threat posed by the militants.
Over the weekend, Kenya Army Commander Lt. Gen. David Ketter visited troops stationed in Lamu under Operation Amani Boni and the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). His visit aimed to boost troop morale and assess ongoing security operations.
Operation Amani Boni, launched several years ago, continues to focus on flushing out al-Shabaab militants hiding within the expansive Boni Forest and surrounding areas. Despite repeated crackdowns, the region remains vulnerable to attacks, with both civilians and security personnel frequently targeted.
Security agencies have urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities by reporting suspicious activities. The latest attacks underscore the ongoing threat of terrorism in the region and the critical need for sustained security interventions to safeguard lives and restore peace.
