Wamuzi News Ke
In a dramatic escalation, approximately 60 heavily armed suspected Al‑Shabaab militants unleashed terror on Basuba village nested inside Kenya’s Boni Forest in Lamu County on late Friday night, sparking a fierce firefight with nearby security forces.
Around 9:00 p.m. EAT, militants burst into Basuba and began indiscriminate shooting at residents inside their homes. Witnesses say panic engulfed the village as villagers struggled to raise alarms in the remote forest terrain.
Minutes later, a contingent of the group surrounded the nearby General Service Unit (GSU) camp, opening the next phase of their attack with four rocket‑propelled grenades launched at the security post and the adjacent settlement.
Security officers within the GSU camp responded swiftly, trading gunfire for nearly an hour in a firefight that ultimately repelled the militants. Officials confirmed no injuries or fatalities on either side, though the assailants withdrew into the forest after sustaining the resistance.
Operation Amani Boni Under Siege
The raid marks another grave incident occurring just two weeks after three Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were killed and six injured after triggering an improvised explosive device during Operation Amani Boni—a coordinated campaign launched in September 2024 to purge Al‑Shabaab elements from the Boni Forest enclave.
Security agencies have reiterated that Al‑Shabaab militants—now deploying larger raiding units—are intensifying efforts to destabilise Lamu, despite prolonged counterterrorism operations, raising alarm over widening operations deep within the forest complex.
Alarming Reversal as Militants Escalate
The number of attackers—estimated at 60—signals a notable escalation in organization and capacity compared with earlier sporadic attacks in the region. The group’s choice of a simultaneous dual-pronged assault—targeting both civilians and a paramilitary outpost—suggests growing boldness and intent to challenge Kenya’s security presence in Boni Forest.
Over the past three months, Al‑Shabaab cells have executed a string of attacks inside Boni, including deadly ambushes and IED detonations that have claimed lives and inflamed local fear. Analysts warn that failure to disrupt these networks could undermine the entire Operation Amani Boni initiative.
Residents Terrified, Ops Intensify
Basuba locals describe the attack as “intentional terror,” leaving families traumatised and many fleeing deeper into the forest seeking safety. They plead for increased patrols and quicker response times from security teams.
Following the incident, security agencies have deployed reinforcements to the area and launched a manhunt in search of fleeing militants, who reportedly moved deeper into Kiangwe Forest. Despite the raid, officials insist they have regained control of the GSU base and village precincts.
What’s Next?
The assault raises critical questions: How did such a large force penetrate forest strongholds undetected? Can Kenya’s security architecture respond effectively to coordinated raids across scattered settlements?
With more attacks hitting Lamu in recent months—including deadly strikes on KDF and GSU posts—the government faces mounting pressure to escalate his strategy. Operation Amani Boni, once hailed as a turning point, is now facing its sternest test yet.
As night falls over Boni Forest, all eyes are on KDF, GSU, and counterterrorism units: will they stop Al‑Shabaab’s advance—or are they running out of time?
