DP says over 100 raiders in deadly bus attack killed

Deputy President William Ruto Sunday said that security officers have killed more than 100 people believed to have been involved in the Mandera bus attack on Saturday.

Mr Ruto said that Kenyan forces pursued the terrorists across the border into Somalia.

Those killed, Mr Ruto said, are suspected to have been responsible for the killing of 28 passengers on a Nairobi bound bus from Mandera.

“Our security responded swiftly. They identified, followed and struck the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

“Two operations were carried out against the perpetrators across the border. Our retaliatory action left more than 100 fatalities and four camps were destroyed,” he said.
Mr Ruto spoke at a press conference on behalf of President Kenyatta who is away in the United Arab Emirates for an official visit.

He was flanked by Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku and his Principal Secretary Ms Monica Juma, Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo and the Head of Public Service, Mr Joseph Kinyua.

NO EVIDENCE

However, the top government officials did not provide any evidence of the killings.

The DP said that there is no connection between the Mandera attack and the on-going operation to weed out radical youths from mosques in Mombasa.

“We have not taken over any mosque. Any place of worship that is being used to plan, train terrorists and store arms will be treated as a scene of crime. We shall not relent in our fight to clean up these mosques,” Mr Ruto said.

He admitted Mandera Governor Ali Roba had warned of increased terrorist attacks.All police officers based in Nairobi, Mombasa and parts of North Eastern, who were on leave, were recalled following fears that there would be attacks on churches.

In Nairobi, officers were stationed at Uhuru Park, the Globe Cinema roundabout, Valley Road, and parts of Westlands.

On Saturday, top security personnel held a lengthy meeting at Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo’s office.Deputy Inspector-General of Police Grace Kaindi sent a circular to all police stations instructing all commanders to be alert.

As security is beefed up, reports have emerged that junior police officers are threatening to abandon their duties if they are deployed to high risk zones.

CALLED FOR OVERHAUL

In a related development, Mandera Governor Ali Roba has called for a total overhaul of security in the county following a wave of Al-Shabaab attacks. He accused officers of laxity.

Speaking to the Nation by phone Sunday, Mr Roba said he regretted that terrorist suspects who are arrested are released under unclear circumstances.

The governor said police have a tendency of treating attacks in the county as normal and neither counter nor follow up on them.

“No concrete action is taken against explosions that occur in Mandera. It is better for police to act on every information they receive,” he said.

Kenya Union of  Post Primary education  teachers Sunday condemned the Mandera attack in which more than 20 teachers lost their lives.

Chairman Omboko Milemba asked the government to take security threats seriously, warning that teachers would not resume duties in areas such as Mandera, Baringo, Turkana and at the Coast unless they assured of their safety.

Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange called for more surveillance in affected areas.

Elsewhere, senators Kithure Kindiki, Lenny Kivuti, Kipchumba Murkomen and MPs Cecily Mbarire, Muthomi Njuki and Embu Speaker Kariuki Mate, said the country’s image is tarnished.

Meanwhile, some Cord leaders Sunday urged the President to dismiss the IG and Mr Lenku. They harshly condemned the wave of killings that have been happening without a solution.