Five Kenyan Soldiers Killed, 10 Injured in an Explosive Attack by Suspected Al Shabaab Militants

Five Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers have been confirmed dead following a suspected attack by Al Shabaab militants.

The officers were killed after a vehicle ferrying them hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Kiunga- Sankuri road in Lamu County on Wednesday morning.

In a statement, Kenya Defence Forces spokesman Colonel Paul Njuguna said 10 other soldiers were injured during the 8am incident.

“We thank the locals who offered assistance to the soldiers and call upon them to assist in weeding out lurking terror elements in their midst, in order to assist in the progressive pacification of Lamu County,” a statement from Col. Njuguna said.

“Following the incident, 10 KDF soldiers are receiving medical care from injuries sustained."

The military men were on a humanitarian duty to draw and distribute water to residents in the area when their vehicle hit the explosive.

The attack comes about three weeks after six Kenyan soldiers were killed in a similar attack at Kwa Omollo Bridge on the Bodhei-Bar’goni Road on August 8th. Five others sustained injuries in the explosion.