NAIROBI, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- A Kenyan soldier was killed and four others injured in a roadside blast in coastal Lamu County Friday, the military confirmed Friday evening.
The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) said in a statement that the five troops were on normal patrol in the area of Mlima Faru in the coastal region when they drove over an improvised explosive device (IED).
It said those in critical conditions were airlifted for specialized treatment while others were attended to and are in stable condition.
"The entire KDF fraternity condoles with the family of our fallen hero and wishes (a) quick recovery to our injured soldiers," the KDF said.
This is the third incident to hit the area in barely a week, leaving five people killed and property destroyed amid rising attacks by suspected members of al-Shabab in the coastal region in the recent past.
Members of the extremist group have tried to sow terror in Lamu, a tourism resort region, and other areas close to the Kenya-Somali border, with most attacks targeting security vehicles on patrol. ■