EIGHT people have been confirmed dead in a fresh night raid on Kaisari village, Mpeketoni town, Lamu West. Deputy County Commissioner Benson Maisori said police discovered the bodies in the morning yesterday, even as locals held protests in the Hongwe area. The residents, who were pleading for security to be restored in the region, blocked the major road to Lamu.
Maisori said they suspect the same raiders who attacked Mpeketoni on Sunday, leaving more than 50 people dead, are the ones who killed the Kaisari victims.
“Ten people were killed yesterday night. We think they are the same people who killed people in Mpeketoni, since the style of killing is the same. They slit the victims' throats wide open, or shot them several times in the head. So, presumably, we are dealing with the same people,” said Maisori.
Kaisari village is just 20km from Mpeketoni main town. Maisori said security chiefs are following up the matter. At the same time, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku and Inspector-General David Kimaiyo were headed to Kaisari village.
A group of arsonists also torched houses in Mapenya village, just 15-minutes' walk from Mpeketoni town. Maisori said the arsonists raided the village at around 1am, setting four houses on fire.
“I believe their main aim was to torch the entire village and since the houses are made of makuti, they thought if they set several houses on fire then the fire would quickly spread to the entire village, but the villagers managed to put out the fire," said Maisori.
He noted that the arsonists, fearing police pursuit, disappeared into the nearby wild. He said the arsonists may have calculated that all the police had been deployed to Mpeketoni.
“They knew police were not around, that is why they came. But still their aim did not go as they wanted. They should know that we have police patrolling the entire place,” added Maisori.
No one was injured in the incident. Maisori warned residents to be on the alert and report any unusual persons or activity. Maisori said no one had been arrested in connection with the attempted arson, but was quick to add that police were on their trail.
Lamu county government leaders yesterday toured Mpeketoni to mourn with the victims. Governor Issa Timammy condemned the attack, terming it an international disaster.
The Governor said there was urgent need to beef up security in the region so as to prevent similar attacks. “Today is a sad day for Lamu County. We send our heartfelt condolences to the victims and those who lost their families," he said.
Timammy was accompanied by his deputy, Eric Mugo, Women's rep Shakila Abddalla and other senior county government officials. The women's rep cried as she termed the attack the worst in Lamu, hitherto considered a safe haven.
“We want the government to assure us of security because it has deteriorated; it should be a priority for people to live peacefully like before," she said.