The police and witnesses said the attackers raided the villages around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, dragged the victims from their houses, and tied their hands and legs with ropes behind their backs before executing them.

According to the police report, the victims of the Saturday night attack on Salama and Juhudi villages are all men, including a student. Witnesses said the student had come home for a half-term break.

The police said a group of over 30 men in military regalia, armed with guns, machetes, and knives, struck early in the evening. They then ordered those present to lie down and not to raise the alarm as they led women to different rooms and later let them free.

The attackers killed the five men and stole some food items, chicken, and goats before setting a store ablaze. "The assailants disappeared toward the forest," the police said.

Lamu County Commissioner Louis Rono said security teams rushed to the scene moments later, but no arrests were made.

Lamu County has been in the spotlight for some years due to increased scathing attacks by al-Shabaab militants that have left hordes of security officers and civilians dead.