Kenya: Suspected Al-Shabaab ambushes in Lamu county August 2

Event

Suspected Al-Shabaab militants reportedly ambushed a passenger bus traveling from Mombasa to Kipini, in Watu, Lamu county, on Wednesday, August 2. According to a local police source, three people were killed and five others wounded in the attack, which occurred near the Somali border and the Boni Forest. Additionally, a private vehicle was reportedly attacked and set on fire on the same road a few hours later, resulting in three more deaths.

Context

Al-Shabaab regularly carries out attacks near the porous border with Somalia, where the group is based, as well as in coastal areas popular with tourists and the capital Nairobi. The militant group has been effectively at war with the country since Kenyan forces engaged in the international fight against the terrorist group beginning in October 2011. Al-Shabaab, which seeks to topple Somalia's government and impose its own harsh interpretation of Sharia law, says it will continue to carry out attacks in Kenya until Nairobi withdraws its troops from the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Al-Shabaab has increased activity along the Somali border region in recent months. On July 17, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta promised supporters that the government will step up efforts to target Al-Shabaab militants, particularly near the Boni Forest. Due to these security concerns, Lamu county, along with Tana River and Garissa counties, is currently under a 90-day curfew. The curfew is in effect nightly from 20:30 to 06:30 (local time), during which time people are required to stay indoors unless they have a written permit provided by the local Deputy County Commissioner. The curfew is scheduled to remain in place until October 9.

Advice

Individuals in Kenya are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities and to be particularly cautious when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (government buildings, places of worship, tourist sites, etc.). Due to these and other security concerns, many Western governments advise against travel to a number of regions in the country, including areas bordering Somalia (parts of Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Lamu counties), Ethiopia, and South Sudan, as well as nonessential travel to the city of Mombasa. Several Nairobi neighborhoods, including Eastleigh and Pangani, are also best avoided.