Non-locals in Mandera barred from bus journeys during Ramadhan due to Shabaab fear

Buses parked in Mandera Town on June 30, 2016. The county security committee has barred non-locals from traveling by bus to and from the county until after the end of Ramadhan, citing security reasons. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Nyawir said this was a “short-term” move aimed at reducing tension and allow for the reorganisation of security operations.
  • He dismissed claims that security escorts had been withdrawn, stating that other security agencies (besides police) have been incorporated.
  • A police source said officers assigned to escort buses in and out of Mandera had downed their tools, leaving reservists to perform the duty.
  • Peter Mwangi, a casual worker in Mandera Town, lamented the security directive as he could not travel to attend to his sick wife.

Non-locals living in Mandera will not be allowed to travel by bus until the end of the Ramadhan period due to security threats posed by Al-Shabaab militants, the county security committee has said.

Acting Mandera East Deputy County Commissioner Yonah Nyawir said this was a “short-term” move aimed at reducing tension and allow for the reorganisation of security operations.

“We are not really [barring] people from traveling from Mandera or Nairobi but we are saying they should use alternative means,” said Mr Nyawir.

He said the decision was taken due to the security situation in Mandera after the loss of five police officers on June 20 as they were escorting a bus in Kotulo.

Mr Nyawir said although the decision was not popular with many travellers, those wishing to travel will have to abide by it until the situation improves.

USE AIR TRAVEL

“Those wanting to travel can use [aircraft] or pick-ups plying the Mandera-Takaba-Moyale-Marsabit route until the situation returns to normal after Ramadhan,” he said.

Mr Nyawir dismissed claims that security escorts had been withdrawn, stating that other security agencies (besides police) have been incorporated.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a bus company manager told the Nation that the Mandera County police commander had called them for a meeting on Monday and directed all bus companies in Mandera not to allow non-Somalis on board.

“From Tuesday we have not been carrying non-Somalis in our buses to Nairobi after the police instructed us not to book them until Ramadhan is over,” he said.

Peter Mwangi, a casual worker in Mandera Town, lamented the security directive, saying he could not travel to attend to his sick wife.

“I was to go on Wednesday using one of the buses to Nairobi, but I was pulled out of the bus and the conductor told me that non-Somalis were not allowed to travel,” he said.

COSTLY OPTION

Mr Mwangi said the only option was to fly, which he cannot afford.

He would require Sh16,000 for a one-way ticket to Nairobi.

“I need Sh32,000 to get to Nairobi and back if I am to [fly] to see my sick wife,” he said.

A police source said officers assigned to escort buses in and out of Mandera have downed their tools, leaving the Kenya Police Reservists to perform the duty.

“We cannot be escorting buses under the current poor arrangement of our bosses, who don’t want to listen and act on challenges we are facing,” the source said.

The officer said their bosses had declined to provide extra escort vehicles.

“We asked them to rearrange seats in these security vehicles so that we can be facing sideways, but we still sit facing each other making it difficult to escape and fight the enemy if we are attacked,” he said.