Kenya: Suspected Al-Shabaab militants kill one in Lamu county July 26 /update 1

Event

On the evening of Thursday, July 26 (local time), a Kenyan police vehicle was ambushed by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in the Milihoi area of Lamu county. According to local sources, one police officer was killed and two more were wounded in the attack. Although Al-Shabaab is suspected of having carried out the attack, no group has officially claimed responsibility as of July 26.

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. Al-Shabaab has been effectively at war with the Kenyan government since October 2011, when Kenyan forces engaged in the international fight against the terrorist group.

Advice

Individuals in Kenya are advised to avoid the abovementioned area, remain vigilant, monitor the situation, and adhere to instructions issued by the local authorities.

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.