Eight KDF soldiers feared dead in Lamu IED explosion
COAST
By
Benard Sanga and Joackim Bwana
| May 18th 2021 | 2 min read

Several Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldiers injured and eight others feared dead after their vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Baure in Lamu West.
Multiple sources told The Standard that the soldiers were traveling from the Baure Camp in a Landcruiser to the Kenya-Somali border where construction of a wall is going on.
This morning KDF soldiers on routine duties within Lamu County (Baure) encountered and IED, reinforced with an ambush along the Bodhei - Kiunga Road. pic.twitter.com/5jzcybdjcM — Kenya Defence Forces (@kdfinfo) May 18, 2021
"There was an attack but the information is still scanty because of the poor mobile network," said Mr Macharia in a phone interview.
KEEP READING
A source said there were intelligence reports that some elements were planning an attack after the month of Ramadhan.
"There has been an insurgency among the Ogaden tribe living across the Kenya-Somali border opposed to the construction of the wall. We suspect they are behind the attack," said the source.
It was not clear why the soldiers were using a Landcruiser instead of an Armored Personnel Carrier.
Baure and Sang'uri near the Somali border are believed to be some of the most insecure areas inside the Boni forest where soldiers say landmines have been planted by those opposed to the border wall.
Since 2014 when Operation Linda Boni was launched, several soldiers and police officers have lost their lives in similar IED attacks that have been blamed Jeshi la Ayman, an offshoot Al Shabaab terror group.
Kenya and Somali border has remained porous, making it easy for Islamist militants to launch terror attacks in the country.
In 2015, the government for the first time revealed that it was erecting a protection wall on sections of Kenya's border with Somalia to fight Al Shabaab.
This is after the then Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy said construction work had begun and would have been concluded in one year.
Later, the then Vice Chief of Defense Force Lt Gen. Samson Mwathethe told the National Security Sector Consultative forum in Mombasa that the wall will secure Kenya's Northern frontier.
The wall is being erected along sections of border near the Coast, and that its intent will be to keep out illegal immigrants from Somalia, including Al Shabaab militia.
RELATED VIDEOS
Is Ambani’s 15-year-old golden boot record under threat from Kapaito?
Is Boniface Ambani’s 15-year-old Kenya Premier League golden boot record under threat this season?When Njonjo almost resigned over coffee smugglers
Known as the era of black gold, it began in 1976 when Ugandan farmers decided to sell their coffee in the private market.MOST READ

Six KNH employees in court for allegedly stealing Sh4.68m cancer drugs
HEALTH & SCIENCE
By Mate Tongola
- Karua vs Rigathi
CARTOONS
By Gado
- 'Samuel Mugota took care of me well', one of two new women tells police
NATIONAL
By Kamore Maina
- Give Kithi an appointive seat, let me run for Kilifi Governor, Jumwa to Ruto
POLITICS
By Brian Okoth
- John Githongo to pay Murungaru Sh10m over Anglo Leasing
NATIONAL
- Suspect drove getaway car after Mirema shooting: DCI
NATIONAL
By Paul Ogemba