Three people were killed in two separate attacks by suspected al Shabaab militants at Nyongoro area in Lamu on Wednesday evening.
In the first incident, a Toyota Probox ran over an IED planted by suspected al Shabaab militants.
Reports indicated the militants then fired gunshots, killing one person. There were reports that a second person was killed but police said they had not yet received information on this.
The vehicle was on its way from Garsen to Lamu when it was ambushed at about 7pm.
It is said the Probox, which has space for five, was overloaded at the time. Survivors, whose number is unknown, were taken to Witu hospital.
Lamu county commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo said one of the survivors may have died in hospital. Were this not the case, he said, they may find the body later.
“Yes. There was an attack at a place called Nyongoro which is between Tana River and Lamu. A Probox which had several occupants ran over an IED,” he told The Star by phone.
“Officers are already on the ground. I will give more details later.”
In the second incident about 50m away, a lorry was ambushed by suspected terrorists and one person shot dead.
The incidents took place several kilometres from Gamba police station and the attackers also destroyed a Kenya Power pylon.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.
The numbers of people who were in the car and lorry, registrations KCD 542 F and KAQ 158 V respectively, have not been established.