Kenya Defence Forces at Nyali bridge on their way to Boni forest, Lamu.
A raid by suspected al-Shabaab militants in Milimani village, deep within the Boni Forest in Lamu County, occurred just two days before a deadly ambush on Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops along the Sankuri-Kiunga Main Supply Route.
On Tuesday afternoon, a KDF patrol vehicle hit an improvised explosive device (IED) believed to have been planted by militants.
The explosion destroyed the vehicle, killing three soldiers and injuring at least six others.
Security sources and villagers revealed that on Sunday evening, two days before the fatal ambush, heavily armed al-Shabaab fighters attempted to overrun a General Service Unit (GSU) camp in Milimani, about 80 kilometres from Badaa, the site of Tuesday’s attack.
The militants also tried to invade Milimani village but were repulsed by GSU officers and National Police Reservists (NPRs) in a coordinated operation.
Random shooting
“There was an attempted raid on the Milimani GSU camp and the village, but we were alert. It happened between 5.45 pm and 6.30 pm. The terrorists arrived and started shooting randomly toward the camp and the village. No casualties were reported,” said an officer who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals.
Loud gunfire
Milimani resident Abdi Ware described the panic that gripped the village, noting that gunfire could be heard coming from the forest.
He said villagers remained indoors as GSU and NPR officers pushed back the attackers.
“They shot randomly and everyone stayed inside their homes. They were firing from the forest,” said Mr Ware.
Tensions escalated further on Tuesday morning when schoolchildren discovered a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) near the village headman’s house.
It is believed the militants dropped it while fleeing Sunday’s raid. Parents quickly alerted security officers who secured the area and safely detonated the explosive on Wednesday.
“Since the attempted attack on Sunday, we have not been able to go to our farms. The discovery of the RPG on Tuesday made things worse. Our children have not been attending school due to fear that the militants are still nearby especially after they killed our KDF soldiers just hours after the RPG was found,” said Ms Mariam Musa, a Milimani resident.
Lamu County Commissioner Wesley Koech confirmed the attempted raid, describing it as a “probing attack.”
Lamu County Commissioner Wesley Koech addressing the public at Mokowe Hall in Lamu County on April 10, 2025.
Such attacks are usually meant to test the strength and preparedness of a target without launching a full-scale assault, according to the administrator.
“There is no cause for alarm. It’s true the device was spotted, but we immediately deployed security personnel to the area and secured it. The matter is under intense investigation,” said Mr Koech.
He added that the government is committed to eliminating militant threats in the region and urged locals to collaborate with security agencies to maintain peace.
“People should go about their normal activities knowing that their safety is guaranteed. I urge the public to continue sharing information with our security teams to help tackle this threat. Lamu is peaceful,” he said.
Following Tuesday’s deadly ambush, multi-agency teams under Operation Amani Boni have ramped up patrols in Sankuri, Badaa, Kiunga and surrounding villages within and around Boni Forest.
According to a statement from military strategic communications, security teams are closely monitoring all routes in and out of the area to intercept militants and neutralise remaining threats.
Launched in September 2015, the operation, initially dubbed Linda Boni, aims to flush out Al-Shabaab fighters believed to be hiding in the dense forest.
The operation, involving the KDF, National Police Service, and National Government Administration Officers, has significantly reduced militant attacks in Lamu, which once faced near-weekly incidents.
The Badaa ambush marks the first deadly Al-Shabaab attack in Lamu this year.
Earlier incidents include a failed raid on April 5 when militants tried to storm a GSU camp and a village in Basuba. That night attack was thwarted by police reservists.
On March 15, over 100 suspected militants stormed Mangai village, assembled residents, preached to them, and handed out dates (fruits) as Ramadhan gifts.
No injuries or deaths were reported. Both Basuba and Mangai are located within Boni Forest and are home to members of the Boni minority community.
