Soldiers Killed in Military Chopper Crash in Lamu

All occupants of a military helicopter that was conducting a night patrol in Lamu were killed when it crashed on Monday night.

The crew and other military personnel on board were part of an air surveillance squadron that was intensifying day and night patrols for the ongoing Operation 'Amani Boni'. The incident happened at around 7.30 pm and the bodies of the occupants were flown to Nairobi on Tuesday morning. The operation seeks to wipe out al-Shabaab elements in Lamu where the terror group has been staging attacks targeting security agencies. Security agencies involved in the operation have been conducting patrols and surveillance of the militia's movements to avert more deaths in the county.

On Sunday night, KDF soldiers killed two militia in the Bodhei area within Lamu in the ongoing operation. Assorted weapons including AK-47 rifles, magazines, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers and other items were recovered.

Last week, a group of Special Forces acted on a tip-off and raided a suspected logistics camp of the terrorist group. The camp was believed to be used by militant IED teams. The Special Forces engaged in a prolonged gunfight with the militants who were hiding in the bushes. Aerial support was provided by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and five militants were killed while others fled with injuries.

A search operation has been launched for the escapees. The recovered items from the camp included materials used for making IEDs such as batteries, copper wires, pliers, ammunition, voltmeter, adhesives, nails, metallic fragments, fuel oil and fertiliser.

Meanwhile, the Kenyan government has announced plans to transfer the responsibility of building and restoring four sports stadiums to the KDF in a move aimed at improving athletics facilities in the country.