1 Killed, homes burned by al-Shabab in coastal Kenya

Summary:

• Suspected al-Shabab militants raided two villages in Kenya’s Lamu county, killing one person, beheading a 72-year-old man, and torching multiple houses, prompting a manhunt and increased security measures in the region, a hotspot for frequent attacks and abductions.

LAMU, Kenya, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) — At least one person was killed and several houses were burnt in a raid on two villages in Kenya’s coastal Lamu county, a government official confirmed on Sunday.

Lamu County Commissioner Louis Rono said heavily armed assailants raided Marafa and Poromoko villages at around 9 p.m. on Saturday and set several houses ablaze.

According to Rono, the police launched a manhunt for the assailants, adding that the attackers escaped the scene.

“No arrests have been made but the manhunt for those behind the incident is underway,” Rono said on the phone.

In Marafa village, the attackers torched four houses and beheaded a 72-year-old man.

According to preliminary findings, the attackers then proceeded to the neighboring village of Poromoko where they torched at least six houses, slaughtered chickens, and stole household items.

The attack which was linked to suspected al-Shabab militants, comes about three months after a similar one in Lamu West that saw a gateman at a local school killed after a brief abduction.

The police said the security operations have been upped in the area to tame the plans for more attacks in the tourism resort region.

The Lamu region, which includes popular tourist beach destination Lamu Island, lies close to the Somali border and has suffered frequent attacks in the past, including roadside bombs and the abduction of foreigners.