Three KDF soldiers killed, seven injured in Lamu IED blast

Images from the site revealed extensive destruction. (Photo: File)

By Lucy Mumbi
Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Lamu East Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) George Kubai confirmed the incident, saying the soldiers were returning to Kiunga after ferrying their colleagues to Sankuri when their vehicle struck the explosive device.

At least three Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers were killed on Tuesday, July 15, while seven others sustained injuries after their vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) at Badaah area on the Kiunga-Sankuri road in Lamu County.

Lamu East Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) George Kubai confirmed the incident, saying the soldiers were returning to Kiunga after ferrying their colleagues to Sankuri when their vehicle struck the explosive device.

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“The soldiers were en route to Sankuri to transport their colleagues when their vehicle hit an IED on the way back near Kiunga,” Kubai said.

The injured soldiers were rushed to Kiunga Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, a major operation has been launched to track down the attackers, with residents warning that the area faces an escalating threat of terrorism.

Police have urged residents to share intelligence with security agencies to help flush out the militants responsible for the attack.

“We are asking residents to cooperate with security agencies to assist in identifying and apprehending those behind this incident,” Kubai added.

The attack comes amid heightened security operations under Operation Amani Boni, a multi-agency initiative aimed at flushing out al-Shabaab militants from Lamu’s Boni Forest and surrounding areas. Lamu has witnessed repeated terrorist attacks in recent years targeting both civilians and security officers.

During the weekend, Kenya Army Commander Lieutenant General David Ketter visited KDF troops deployed under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and Operation Amani Boni in Lamu County. According to military officials, the visit aimed to boost troop morale and assess ongoing security operations.

Lamu has long been a hotspot for militant attacks, with the deadliest incident occurring in Mpeketoni and Kibaoni on June 15, 2014, where over 90 people lost their lives. The region remains under the broader Operation Linda Boni, which also seeks to flush out al-Shabaab operatives from the area.

Tuesday’s attack in Lamu follows another deadly incident in Garissa County on Monday morning, where two civilians were killed after their Probox vehicle struck an IED along the Ijara–Bodhai road. The victims, identified as Mohamed Shabel Bashir and Abdikadir Muhumed Salat, were travelling towards Bodhai town when their car was destroyed by the blast.

Bodhai Deputy County Commissioner Dubat Mohamed confirmed the Garissa incident, attributing it to suspected al-Shabaab militants who likely targeted security patrols that frequently use the route.

“This is an unfortunate incident. We suspect the attackers were targeting our security personnel who regularly conduct surveillance operations along that road,” Dubat said.

Images from the site revealed extensive destruction, suggesting that a high-powered explosive was used in the attack.

Security agencies have since intensified patrols in the area, with joint forces from the General Service Unit (GSU) and Special Operations Group (SOG) deployed to pursue the suspects.

“We are in hot pursuit of these criminal elements. Our forces are combing suspected hideouts,” Dubat added, urging residents to volunteer any helpful information.