Lamu, KENYA:Two people have been confirmed dead after being killed by suspected Alshabaab militants at Milihoi area along the Lamu-Mpeketoni highway.
The two were killed shortly after the militants took hostage a Pajero vehicle carrying Housing and Public works PS Mariam El Maawy and a lorry at Milihoi at around 3pm on Thursday.
They were taken into the Boni forest.
The PS together with four occupants of the vehicle were later rescued by the KDF who who were conducting patrols in the area.
A police source who spoke anonymously, intimated that one of the occupants of the Pajero was torched while inside the vehicle shortly before they were taken hostage.
One other casualty,an occupant of a lorry registration number KBV 4587H that was briefly taken hostage by the militants was also killed.
The lorry driver who was later allowed to proceed, reported the matter at the Ndeu police post.
According to a witness,the militants amounted to more than 30.
The PS has been rushed to the Mpeketoni subcounty hospital where she is currently receiving treatment after she suffered slight injuries and shock.
“There was a body burnt inside the Pajero while another lay on the road.The PS was rescued by KDF and airlifted to Mpeketoni hospital where she is being treated for shock and light injuries,” said the officer.
Two other Toyota Probox vehicles that had initially been held were released .
The PS had just had just completed a meeting with LAPSSET stakeholders in Lamu town and was heading to Witu to visit families displaced by Alshabaab attacks.
She was also slated to attend a security meeting presided over by Coast regional coordinator Nelson Marwa who was set to address a security briefing which has so far been moved to Manda following the incident.
