One killed as politician’s convoy is attacked in Mandera

What you need to know:

  • County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia confirmed the 8am incident saying that the Toyota Land Cruiser shot at belongs to a parliamentary candidate in Mandera.
  • The vehicle branded in Narc-Kenya party colours and symbols belongs to Mr Mohamed Abdi a candidate for Mandera North parliamentary seat.
  • The county commissioner said a win against terrorism in Mandera or an increase in prevalence of terrorists within shall depend on the locals’ willingness.

One person was killed and another injured on Tuesday after a vehicle they travelling in was shot at in Mandera North Sub-County.

County Commissioner Fredrick Shisia confirmed the 8am incident saying that the Toyota Land Cruiser shot at belongs to a parliamentary candidate in Mandera.

“It was a convoy of two vehicles coming into Rhamu town along the Elwak- Rhamu road when the incident happened at Chabi-bar area,” he said.

Mr Shisia said the attackers seemed to have targeted the second vehicle since the first vehicle drove past the area safely.

He said a female occupant died on the spot as her male counterpart identified as Mr Barey Mohamed Abdi sustained gunshot injuries.

AL-SHABAAB RECRUITMENT

The vehicle branded in Narc-Kenya party colours and symbols belongs to Mr Mohamed Abdi a candidate for Mandera North parliamentary seat.

“We can’t exactly say it is Al-Shabaab behind this but investigations are underway and we shall know who executed this,” he said.

Locals at Chabi-bar told the Nation that they reported presence of suspected Al-Shabaab militants in the area to local administration but Mr Shisia denied having received such reports.

“Our security teams are on a high alert in such areas and nothing has been reported to my office but I urge locals with information to come forward so that we can win the war against terror,” said Mr Shisia.

In December last year, a telecommunication mast in the area was destroyed by Al-Shabaab militants cutting off the area.

WAR ON TERROR

Mr Hussein Mohamud, a resident, told the Nation while in Mandera town that the militants have been camping in the area on a recruitment mission.

“The enemy roams freely at Chabi-bar recruiting youth to join Al-Shabaab. Those tarmacking the Elwak-Rhamu road can tell you everything because they see them almost daily,” he said.

The county commissioner said a win against terrorism in Mandera or an increase in prevalence of terrorists within shall depend on the locals’ willingness.

He said his team was closely watching the situation in Mandera South (Elwak) where quarry workers are camping at Deputy County Commissioner’s compound citing insecurity at their places of work.

“The situation is under control and those camping in Elwak did not have bus fare to return to their homes in other parts of the country as we continue to monitor the situation,” he said.

Mr Shisia appealed to local politicians to stick to security advisories as they conduct their campaigns.