Six people were killed, and residences were set on fire in an attack Monday in Kenya's coastal Lamu region, which borders Somalia, a local government official said.

"I certify that an incident suspected to be carried out by Al Shabaab occurred in a location known as Widhu, and that six persons were killed. One was shot to death, and others were burned "Irungu Macharia, Lamu County Commissioner, stated.

"Our security forces are pursuing them, and we urge support from locals to help us because when we work together we succeed."

Al Shabaab rebels have carried out multiple large-scale operations within Kenya in revenge for Nairobi's 2011 deployment of troops to Somalia as part of an African Union force tasked with degrading the Islamists.

The al Qaeda-linked group is attempting to destabilize the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu. It now controls large swaths of southern Somalia from where it frequently launches attacks in the capital and beyond.

The Lamu region, which includes the famed tourist beach resort Lamu Island, is located near the Somali border and has been subjected to repeated attacks, frequently carried out using roadside bombs.