Residents of Basuba village in Lamu County spent a night filled with fear and uncertainty after more than 60 suspected Al-Shabaab militants stormed the area late on Friday.
The attack began at around 9pm when the heavily armed group opened fire without targeting anyone in particular, sending villagers into panic.
According to reports from people on the ground, some of the militants launched the attack directly, while others positioned themselves around the General Service Unit (GSU) camp that is located in the village.
Security officers stationed at the GSU camp quickly responded to the attack, engaging the militants in a tense battle that lasted over an hour.
The exchange of gunfire echoed throughout the village, keeping residents wide awake and hiding in fear.
Those who spoke about the incident described how the militants fired four rocket-propelled grenades into the village and the security base.
One of these rockets hit a house, leading to more panic as families screamed and ducked for safety. Parents clutched their children, hiding behind walls and under beds, praying for the violence to end.
The attackers appeared to be well-coordinated and had a clear plan to overpower the camp. However, the officers held their ground until the militants finally retreated into the darkness.
For the villagers, the entire event felt like something from a nightmare. Their peaceful night turned into hours of terror as they feared for their lives and those of their loved ones.
Many said they had never experienced anything like that before and expressed worries about their safety moving forward.
Even though no one was reported dead or injured, the attack has left deep emotional scars on the people of Basuba.
Children were seen crying long after the incident, while adults stood in small groups the next morning, still trying to understand what had happened.
Security agencies have since launched a serious manhunt, with more personnel deployed to the area to try and track down those responsible.
Operations in and around Boni Forest have been intensified, and helicopters were spotted flying over the area the following day.
This incident has once again raised concerns about the continued presence and threat of Al-Shabaab militants in Lamu County, especially around the Boni Forest.
Residents are now calling on the government to increase patrols and strengthen security to prevent such terrifying nights from happening again.
For now, Basuba villagers are trying to regain their peace, but the fear of another attack still hangs heavily over them.
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