The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority says the Manda Air Strip in Lamu has been re-opened.

The facility was closed following an attack by Al-Shabaab militants on Sunday morning at the nearby Lamu Naval Base.

Police Inspector-General Hilary Mutyambai said that police remained on high alert as he urged the public to volunteer any information they may have regarding the incident on the 999, 911 and 112 numbers.

Five suspects, thought to be part of or linked to the Lamu military base attack, were arrested, soon after Al-Shabaab terrorists launched the deadly attack that left aircraft and vehicles destroyed, both for the Kenyan and US forces operating from there.

Lamu County Commissioner Irungu Macharia confirmed that “Some suspects have been arrested after they were found within the vicinity of the camp. “The five are being interrogated.”

Kenya Defense Forces said an attempt was made at approximately 5:30 a.m. this morning to breach security at Manda Air Strip and that it had successfully been stopped and the airstrip was safe.

Four terrorist bodies were found by a joint military manhunt staged by the KDF and their American counterparts, but there was no immediate confirmation if they were killed or blew themselves up.

“The attempted breach was successfully repulsed,” KDF Spokesman Colonel Paul Njuguna, said in a statement to newsrooms.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, saying they had successfully stormed the heavily fortified military base and taken effective control of part of it.

U.S. Africa Command acknowledged the attack at Manda Bay Airfield but they have accused the militants of exaggerating the situation on the ground. 

Source: The Daily Nation