Citizens and police killed in night attack on Mpeketoni

Explosions and gun fire rent the air starting 8pm on Sunday as police battled unidentified armed attackers in Mpeketoni area of Lamu town.

Mpeketoni Police Station, two hotels, a nightclub and a petrol station were among those attacked by the militants who used explosives as well as heavy gunfire.

The gunmen stole weapons from a police station and by the time of going to press, six bodies had been counted on the streets of Marketing.

Military spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir posted on his Twitter account that the attackers who were in two Nissan matatus entered Mpeketoni and started shooting the spokesman also added that surveillance aircraft was already airborne doing a reconnaissance on the situation.

Residents said they were fleeing the area into the nearby bushes to take cover as police continue to battle unknown attackers.

“We have run into the bushes fearing for our lives but we are more worried about our children in the boarding school in town,” said Mrs Martha Mutigi an area resident.

Inspector General David Kimaiyo stated that they were yet to be furnished with details of the situation but confirmed that there had been an attack.

“We do not have full informationon the incident and we are still trying to reach our officers at the moment,” he said in a phone interview.

Residents said Breeze View Hotel and Taweel restaurant are also affected as bellowing smoke was seen around their locations.

Sporadic gun fire and explosions spreading panic among residents with the police seemingly overwhelmed with the situation.

ALSO READ Pictures from the Mpeketoni attack (Be advised on Graphically disturbing content)