5 KDF Soldiers Killed in Lamu IED Attack

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Five Kenyan soldiers have been killed and 10 others injured in a suspected Al-Shabaab attack in Lamu County.

The soldiers died after their truck ran over an explosive device on Kiunga-Sankuri road on Wednesday morning.

Confirming the incident, KDF Spokesperson Colonel Paul Njuguna said the attack happened at around 8am while the officers were on humanitarian assignment to fetch and distribute water to residents.

The officers are part of the ongoing multi-agency security operation Linda Boni that launched by the national government in September 2015 to flush out Al-Shabaab militants believed to be hiding inside the dense forest.

“Following the incident, 10 KDF soldiers are receiving medical care from injuries sustained,” Col. Njuguna said in a statement.

The wreckage of the water bowser which was hit by an IED in Lamu on Wednesday, August 29, 2018. /COURTESY

He thanked locals in the area who offered assistance to the soldiers and called upon them to assist in weeding out lurking terror elements in their midst.

The attack comes barely three weeks after six KDF soldiers were killed and five others injured in a similar attack at Kwa Omollo Bridge on the Bodhei-Bar’goni road on August 8.

Speaking during a joint conference, the two presidents pledged to build on acquisition of military equipment made in the United States.

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President Trump committed to further enhance Kenya Defence Forces capabilities to enable fight the enemy.

“We have had very strong and excellent cooperation with the US in security and defence, especially in the fight against terrorism. Most important, we are here looking to enhance our partnership in trade and investment,” Uhuru said.

Al-Shabaab insurgents continue to launch pockets of attacks in the country and have lately resulted to the use of IEDs.

Such attacks have claimed tens of security officers in the country this year alone.

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On Thursday, British Prime Minister will visit the country and has since revealed that other than trade talks, security issues will be feature prominently.

Together with her counterpart President Uhuru Kenyatta, she said they will discuss how British soldiers’ training in Kenya and other African countries can acquire techniques needed to identify and destroy improvised explosive devices before they go to fight Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

Such expertise will also help authorities to thwart such attacks within the Kenyan soil.

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