Operations resume at Lamu airstrip after Shabaab attack

By , K24 Digital
On Sun, 5 Jan, 2020 15:53 | < 1 min read
Manda airstrip
Lamu civilian has been reopened. PHOTO | COURTESY
Lamu civilian has been reopened. PHOTO | COURTESY

The Lamu civilian airstrip has been re-opened, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority announced on Sunday.

The airstrip had been closed following the failed attempt by Al-Shabaab militants to attack the joint Kenya-US military base at Manda.

"Kenya Civial Aviation wishes to notify aviation stakeholders and members of the public that after the early morning incident in Lamu County, the temporary closure of Lamu Civilian Airstrip operated by Kenya Airports Authority has been lifted allowing normal operations to resume," said KCAA.

Earlier on Sunday, Fly540 had cancelled all its flights in Lamu County.

The U.S Africa Command acknowledged the Al-Shabaab attack, saying it was repelled by their soldiers and Kenya Defense Forces.

"Al-Shabaab has put out multiple press releases exaggerating the security situation on the ground. This practice has proven common place for this terror organisation," said a statement released by US. Africa Command.

Manda Bay, the US Command said, is an area where American forces provide training and counter-terrorism support to East African partners.