Residents of Basuba village in Lamu County spent a harrowing night on Friday after more than 60 heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants launched a coordinated assault on the area, triggering panic and fear among locals.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts, the attackers struck at around 9pm, with one group opening fire indiscriminately while another surrounded the General Service Unit (GSU) security camp nearby.
Villagers reported hearing at least four rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) being fired, one of which reportedly hit a civilian home.
The ensuing chaos saw families hit the ground for cover as gunfire rang through the village. “It was like a war zone. We couldn’t sleep. We stayed alert the whole night, not knowing if we would make it to morning,” said one terrified resident.
Security officers stationed at the GSU camp are said to have engaged the attackers in a fierce gunfight that lasted over an hour before the militants retreated into the thick Boni Forest.
While no fatalities or injuries have been confirmed so far, authorities have since launched a massive manhunt, with elite security units combing the forest in pursuit of the attackers.
This latest attack comes amid renewed concerns about the resurgence of Al-Shabaab activity in the coastal region, particularly in remote areas bordering Somalia. Boni Forest has long been a hideout for the group, making counter-insurgency efforts both complex and dangerous.
Security agencies have urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement as operations continue. Additional reinforcements have been deployed to the area to restore calm and reassure the frightened community.
