Kenya's security officers search for vehicles hijacked by Al-Shabaab

Kenya's security forces are pursuing Al-Shabaab militants who hijacked two vehicles, among them a police patrol car, during the Wednesday night ambush in the coastal town of Lamu in which one person was killed and a police officer injured.

Security reports said the police car GKB 595J Ford Ranger and a lorry KBY 074 H were commandeered by over 15 heavily armed Al-Shabaab members donned in military combats.

Police constable Francis Muli was seriously wounded by the militants during the ambush that left at least one person dead and his loaded Ceska pistol stolen.

Coast Regional police commander Francis Wanjohi said satellite images indicate that the police vehicle has crossed over the Kenya-Somalia border.

"We have contacted the KDF troops based in Manda and Kiunga to assist in tracing the vehicles. We suspect they are being driven by the Al-Shabaab," Wanjohi said.

The Somali militants have since claimed responsibility for the attack which took place near Mpeketoni, the scene of last year's massacre where over 60 people were killed.

Late November Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet raised an alarm over stolen diplomatic vehicle number plates, with fears they may be used to commit terrorism.

Citing Somalia where terrorists use diplomatic number plates on vehicles to access their target, Boinnet urged police officers to thoroughly screen red-plated vehicles.

The two diplomatic plates are 45 UN 177K AND 45 UN 130 K were stolen from a showroom in Kilifi and Mombasa and are yet to be traced.

Wanjohi said the security apparatus have been mobilized to hunt down the Al-Shabaab suspects believed to be hiding in Hindi area, Boni Forest where they emerged from to carry out the attack.

Latest intelligence reports said the gunmen had targeted at least 10 passenger buses that had left Mpeketoni area situated some 30 kilometers from where the ambush took place.

The militant group is believed to have fighters operating in the area's Boni forest that has poor communication network and terrains slowing down police operations.

The Al-Shabaab group has been blamed for sting terror attacks in the coastal region include June 2014 terror attack in Mpeketoni where more than 60 people were killed.

Wanjohi said they have increased patrols and police escorts for public vehicles plying the Malindi Mombasa highway.

Security apparatus fear that the vehicles might be used by Al-Shabaab for future terrorist attacks to smuggle explosives or used to access security. Endit