One of the injured passengers at Witu dispensary. Photo/Nation 
Five people including one policeman were killed while eight others were injured when armed gunmen attacked a Tahmeed bus near Witu in Lamu County.
Among the eight injured were four policemen and four passengers, Lamu west Administration Police Commander confirmed the 6.30pm Friday incident.
The bus was attacked along the Lamu- Malindi highway near Witu when armed assailants who had parked a Probox along the road stopped the vehicle and attempted to hijack it.
Salim Mwashema, one of the passengers told Nation that the bus was suddenly attacked at Pangani forest, the unknown gunmen started shooting injuring four passengers.
The gunmen attracted the attention of patrolling Administration Policemen who engaged the assailants in an exchange of gunfire.
The gunmen escaped into a nearby forest according to Lamu County Commissioner Miiri Njenga.
The Kenya RedCross however put the number of the dead at six. Tahmeed Coach managers confirmed the attack but could not provide more information saying they lost contact with the bus conductor.