Four security personnel, a body guard and driver of Public Works Principal Secretary Miriam El Maawy were killed on Thursday evening during an operation by Kenya Defence Forces and GSU commandos to rescue the PS who had been hijacked by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in Lamu.

The PS was among six people who had been taken hostage by the militants after they commandeered their vehicle at Milihoi area on the Lamu-Mpeketoni highway.

Ms Maawy had just completed a meeting with Lamu Port Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET) stakeholders in Lamu and was heading to Witu to visit families who fled their homes due to insecurity caused Al-Shabaab attacks.

KDF Special Forces and police elite teams backed by air firepower are reported to have pursued the militia members within 45 minutes of the attack.

She sustained injuries during the ordeal and was airlifted to Nairobi for treatment. Sources said she had a bullet lodged in her left shoulder and burns on her legs.