At least 15 suspected Al Shabaab militants have been killed in a raid in the Bodhei area within the expansive Boni forest, Lamu East.
From reports released on Tuesday, January 18, the militia group was cornered by a multi-agency team tasked with conducting operations in the troubled Boni forest.
The incursion is reported to have left an unknown number of militants with serious injuries.
The sting operation also saw the destruction of two command and logistic bases in Bodhei that were being used by the militia group.
The group is suspected to be behind the recent series of attacks witnessed in Lamu that have left over 15 people dead.
After the raid, improvised explosive devices, communication equipment, several uniforms, machine guns, bullets, and AK 47 rifles were recovered.
To contain the escalating cases of insecurity in the area, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Noordin Haji, directed the Inspector General of Police (IG) Hillary Mutyambia to investigate comments and posts made by 12 people on Facebook regarding the incidences.
DPP Haji raised concern over a Facebook page dubbed 'Lamu County Politics Unlimited Group' where users published discriminatory posts.
He directed Mutyambai to give a detailed report regarding the page within 30 days.
"The 12 individuals have published content that may incite feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence or discrimination towards certain ethnic groups which are contrary to Article 33 ( 2 ) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, Section 62 ( 1 ) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008 and Sections 22 and 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018.
"Consequently, I hereby direct you to institute comprehensive investigations into the said publications and submit the resultant investigation file within 30 days hereof. A progress report should be forwarded to my office within 14 days for further directions," the DPP ordered.
On January 5, Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, ordered a dusk to dawn curfew in some parts of Lamu. The 6pm to 6am curfew was declared following increased cases of insecurity in the area.