Three people died after their vehicle ran over an IED planted by suspected al Shabaab militants in Nyongoro, Lamu county, on Wednesday evening. The Probox was coming from Garsen. An undetermined number of survivors are being treated at the Witu Hospital.
Lamu county commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo said he can only confirm that two people died on the spot. He said there was a high possibility a third body could have been found later.
One of the survivors might have died, bringing the death toll to three, Kitiyo said. A police source said three people died on the spot. The vehicle, which should carry only five passengers, is said to have been overloaded.
The incident comes two weeks after four people were beheaded by suspected al Shabaab militants at Maleli village in Witu, Lamu West, on August 18.
On August 2, three Tana River county officials were burnt alive by suspected militants shortly after the their vehicle ran over a landmine at Nyongoro on the Malindi-Garsen-Lamu highway.
The militants set the vehicle ablaze. The three were burnt beyond recognition. On the same day, five people were injured when suspected militants opened fire on a bus at Nyongoro. The incidents are taking place during the Lindi Boni security operation
It is intended to flush out militants from the Boni Forest and neighbouring areas.The military says it will bomb al Shabaab hideouts and have told everyone to leave.