By Yahya:
Wargadud, Mandera County, Kenya –
Kenya’s Mandera County has seen yet another wave of security incidents related to the war on al-Shabaab. As the frequency of these incidents suggests, the war is not only happening in neighbouring Somalia but increasingly also in the Kenyan Northeast. The recent attacks resulted in the deaths of two police officers and a teacher.
The assaults occurred last week in Wargadud and Iresuki villages in the southern part of Mandera County. Al-Shabaab militants also destroyed a Safaricom mast in the attack, effectively disabling communication in the area. The Islamists reportedly captured and overran a local police station, killing two officers and forcing others to flee. The attackers then stole a police land cruiser before raiding the neighbouring village of Iresuki, where they destroyed another telecommunication mast.
The security situation in Mandera County has been precarious, with frequent attacks by al-Shabaab, which often targets constituencies and villages along the porous Kenya-Somalia border. Despite the deployment of troops in the region, the insurgent group remains capable of launching attacks in Northeastern and beyond. Mandera County has become one of the most volatile counties in the country, seconded only by the coastal Lamu.
Weapons for Nairobi intercepted
Fortunately, Kenyan police also had some successes last week. On Wednesday, police in Wajir intercepted a Nairobi-bound bus suspected of transporting counterfeit goods. During the inspection, they discovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition ferried under the rear passenger’s seats. Five individuals, including the passenger and bus company staff, were arrested. Since the bus was en route to Nairobi, it is distressing to imagine what could have happened in Kenya’s capital should the bus proceed unchecked.
Border reopening halted
Meanwhile, the Kenya-Somalia tumultuous relationship received yet another blow. Amid the increased violence attributed to al-Shabaab, the reopening of the long-closed border between Kenya and Somalia has been announced to delay for the time being.
Opposition politicians in Kenya have criticized the government’s intention to reopen the border, suggesting that it would lead to an upsurge in attacks in Northeastern Kenya. Yet, the border remained closed, and the attacks are rising nonetheless.
