Mpeketoni Memorial: How Kenya Defence Forces Preempted Al Shabaab Attack in Lamu County

Event Summary

• 14^th June 2015, Kenya Army foils Mpeketoni anniversary Al-Shabaab terror attack in Lamu
• Kenya Defence Forces based in Lamu County alerted on a massive terror attack targeting civilians during the memorial to mark one year on after Mpeketoni Al Shabaab attacks
• Kenya Defence Forces intercepts and foils about 100 elements of Mpeketoni anniversary Al-Shabaab terror attack in Lamu at Kiunga
• Kenya Army troop kills 11 Al Shabaab militia during the raid
• A small group of the terrorists believed to be dispatched from the main group launched attacks on Mangai village, Kiunga village, Mangai Secondary School’s dormitory and Mangai Health Center
• The terrorists burnt down Mangai Secondary School dormitory, they also torched Mangai Health Center, stole medicine and burnt 2 motorcycles belonging to the facility
• Kenya Defence Forces lost 2 Army officers during the fierce operation
• Kenya Defence Forces recovered assortment of weapons; 13 AK-47 rifles, 5 Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and 8 grenades
• No civilian were reported to suffer from the militant’s attack
• The Mpeketoni target was to reignite the memories of 2014 where the militant killed 60 people and destroyed properties

Foiled Attack Analysis and Assessment

Al Shabaab terror group wanted to reignite the memories of 2014 where the militant attacked Mpeketoni killing at least 60 people and destroying their properties.  The terror group would have celebrated their victory and mock the Kenya Security Services.

The attacks launched in the villages was meant to instill fear to the residents, the ones who would have escaped towards the forest would have fallen prey of the Al Shabaab trick.

Dozens of Al shabaab fighters were waiting for villagers to start fleeing towards the forest where they would have caused massive casualties but their strategy was foiled.

Radicalized youths and sympathizers are believed to support the terror group by providing logistical and terrain advice to the group before commencing on their attacks.

Locals are urged to remain vigilant during this month of Ramadhan , share information with security authorities if they come across suspicious individuals, seeking medical assistance as dozen militants fled to Boni forest with gun shots.

Kenya Intelligence Service and other Kenya Security Agencies have been working together to neutralize any potential threat on her citizenry and properties.