Two weeks ago, officials at the Mandera County Government stopped the movement of their vehicles over increasing terror-related incidents in the area.
At least four attacks have happened in the last two weeks in the area and left at least six people dead and 15 others injured.
The attacks have been linked to both Al-Shabaab terror group and local inter-clan fights over boundary issues.
There are fears of more attacks after locals reported sighting more gunmen roaming in separate places while planning to strike.
Mandera County Secretary Abdinur Hussein released a memo on June 10 and explained strict regulations to be followed in the movements of their vehicles.
“As you are aware, the current prevailing security situation is very volatile and we, therefore, have to exercise extra caution on the movement of our official motor vehicles.”
“To this end, you are advised to strictly observe the laid down regulations as concerns movement of county motor vehicles,” he said.
He told the county executive committee members to take full responsibility for the vehicles under their care by ensuring no vehicle is on the road past 5 pm on any weekday.
Hussein said until further notice no vehicle will be authorized to travel to the sub-counties unless on emergency missions such as ambulances, health utility vehicles or Covid-19 pandemic responses, firefighting trucks, skip loaders and sanitation trucks.
On June 9, at least three people were killed when a Kenya Wildlife Service vehicle was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device in Qoqay area, Takaba.
The bomb is believed to have been set up by militants operating in the area with impunity. The attackers torched the vehicle that had the victims after they had shot at the survivors as they escaped.
On June 6 when gunmen who locals think are Al-Shabaab terrorists attacked two passenger buses and killed three people including two police officers.
The gang also torched a police vehicle after the ambush in Banisa, Mandera County. Officials believe the attack was staged by local militia who have an agenda.
At least seven police officers and 11 civilians were injured in the attack.
On the same day, another gang shot into a police camp in Kutulo, Wajir in what is believed to be a recce mission.
The area of the attack, which is northern part of the county has been a safe area since 2013 but has lately been a soft target.
Police have been mounting operations in the areas to deter their plans. The terrorists have been targeting security installations in the area in a series of incidents destroying them.
This has affected among others the education sector forcing tens of teachers who are non-locals to flee.
The border region has borne the brunt of repeated attacks from the militants who are at times aided by locals. The area is near the Somalia border and the militants usually cross at will and stage attacks before escaping back.
Al-Shabaab insurgents have been attacking places in the region especially in Mandera and Garissa after breaching security zones, which left dozens of civilians and security officials dead or wounded.
They have been planting explosives on the routes used by the security agencies and attacking them. By Cyrus Ombati, The Star
