Explosion and gun fire rent the air since 8pm Sunday as police battled unknown attackers in Mpeketoni area of Lamu.
Mpeketoni Police Station, two hotels and a petrol station were among those attacked, according to the witnesses.
Police have confirmed at least 48 people dead in Mpeketoni, Lamu County following an attack by gunmen last night and warned the toll could rise.
President Uhuru Kenyatta will lead a Government delegation to Mpeketoni, Lamu Monday afternoon after attack by gunmen that left 48 dead and many others injured. This is after he convened an emergency security council meeting at State House over the attacks in Mpeketoni, Lamu in which 48 people were killed. ………………………………………………………………………………… The meeting that started at about 9 am ran for hours with aides saying a comprehensive statement would be issued later on. Among those present were Deputy President William Ruto, and members of the National Security Council Cabinet Secretaries Joseph Ole Lenku (Interior), Amina Mohamed (Foreign Affairs), Chief of Defence Forces Gen Julius Karangi, Attorney General Githu Muigai, NIS boss Michael Gichangi, Police boss David Kimaiyo and his deputies Grace Kaindi and Samuel Arachi among others. There were unconfirmed reports that President Uhuru would fly to the scene to witness the incident. His aides were tight-lipped on the way forward. No statement had been issued by 1 pm, 17 hours after the attack which drew public criticism on social media. Police have confirmed at least 48 dead following the attack by gunmen last night. They warned the death toll could rise. (The Standard)
Military spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir on his twitter account said attackers in 2 Nissan matatus entered Mpeketoni and started shooting, adding that surveillance aircraft was already airborne.
Residents said they were fleeing the area into the nearby bushes to take cover as police continue to battle unknown attackers.
“We have run into the bushes fearing for our lives but we are more worried about our children in the boarding school in town,” said Mrs Martha Mutigi an area resident.
Inspector General David Kimaiyo stated that they were yet to be furnished with details of the situation but confirmed the attack.
“We do not have full information on the incident and we are still trying to reach our officers at the moment,” he told the Nation in a phone interview.
Residents said Breeze View Hotel and Taweel restaurant are also affected as bellowing smoke was seen around their locations.
Sporadic gun fire and explosions spreading panic among residents with the police seemingly unable to contain the situation.
(Nation)