Al Shabaab attacks Kenya's security forces

By Abdisalan Ahmed, Boniface Ongeri and Cyrus Ombati In the past two days, Al-Shabaab have struck thrice at Kenya’s security personnel based at the border of North Eastern Province with explosives, with the latest attack coming on Monday in Wajir during a Jamhuri Day rally.The attack, which left three people critically injured, came a day after two other explosions that killed an Administration Police officer and injured nine soldiers both in Wajir and Mandera. Monday’s attack hit a vehicle belonging to National Security Intelligence Service that was part of a convoy leaving Wajir Stadium. Officials said it involved an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Reports said among the injured was Wajir district security intelligence chief, Mr Hussein Shanow and two women leaders. Three other officers onboard the vehicle escaped unhurt. The victims were the last to leave Wajir Stadium after the fete. The injured women worked with Wajir Peace Committee and had hiked a lift from Shanow. Wajir DC Kennedy Nyairo last evening assured the country the three were out of danger. The Sunday attack in Wajir involved a landmine and took place at Oray as the officers headed to Mandera. The attack on the soldiers took place just about 100 metres from the point where a military Y5 plane crashed — an incident that the military top brass blamed on mechanical failure. On Monday it emerged the attack on Shanow was the second on his life. Last month, he survived a shooting after unknown assailants attacked him as he patrolled the town. He had just resumed work after recovering from an operation to remove a bullet lodged in his stomach. The DC announced one person had been arrested in the Jamhuri Day incident. The injured women were identifi ed as Habiba Sheikh and Fatuma Mirre.Deafening explosion"We had just entered the vehicle and then came a deafening explosion,’’ Habiba said. Earlier during the celebrations, the DC had assured residents that security had been heightened. Until the weekend, Wajir had been spared the series of suspected Al Shabaab attacks in neighbouring Garissa and Mandera counties. Witnesses at Wajir Stadium said the vehicle’s bonnet was blown off following the 12:30pm blast. Nyairo said criminals must have known the route the convoy was to use after the celebrations and planted the explosive. "They have been rushed to the Wajir District Hospital where they are responding well to emergency medication,’’ Nyaiyo said.Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere said a suspect who tried to escape from the scene immediately after the blast was arrested and is helping with investigation.He said police in an escort car trailing the NSIS Land Cruiser arrested the man after he tripped and fell as officers pursued him.On Sunday, another explosion occurred in Mandera town almost simultaneously with the one in Wajir, killing an Administration Police officer and injuring three others.The injured were flown to Nairobi for treatment.The officers were on duty at Border Point Three when the explosion went off. As their colleagues rushed the injured to hospital, another explosion occurred a few meters ahead but no injuries were reported.Security had been heightened at all venues of the Jamhuri celebrations. At the Nyayo Stadium, venue of national celebrations, President Kibaki asked Kenyans to be more vigilant and supplement the good work of the security forces."We are marking this year’s Jamhuri Day, faced with security threats emanating from insurgents operating from Somalia. The insurgents have not only posed a major threat to our peace and security but have also negatively affected our economy," he said.Threat to peaceIn Garissa, security was heightened at the Garissa Primary School grounds where the celebrations were taking place. Security officers, both in uniform and civilian clothes, milled with people in and around the venue. Those entering the grounds were frisked. North Eastern PC James ole Serian said security officers in the region were closing in on criminal gangs behind recent grenade attacks. "It is very unfortunate that we have lost innocent lives in the recent past through attacks that have been orchestrated by criminals. We will make sure that these people who are hurling grenades and planting mines are caught and face the law," the PC vowed. Al-Shabaab militants are suspected to be behind the attacks.Serian also said more Kenya Police Reservists would be deployed along the border to bolster security and urged wananchi to be alert and report security threats to government agencies. "We are in a war situation with Al Shabaab and we will only win if we have the support of the public who should provide information that will help arrest them," he said. There was low turnout during the celebrations as most residents chose to stay away fearing for their lives following the increasing attacks. Security officials are now convinced the region has been the target of Al Shabaab attacks since the military operation in Somalia started in October. There have been a string of attacks in the area following Kenya’s incursion into the lawless nation. A remote-controlled bomb hit a police car in the Dadaab complex on November 15 and ten days earlier, on November 5, a United Nations convoy had struck a bomb buried in a different section of camp, but it did not explode.The attacks in Dadaab, coupled with the kidnappings of tourists and aid workers in October, have forced a number of aid agencies to scale back staff numbers, hitting the provision of aid to those living in the world’s biggest refugee camp, officials said on Monday.In November, six people were killed in Mandera and Garissa towns in similar attacks. Among the deceased was a soldier whose lorry hit a landmine. Five other people were injured in grenade attacks in Garissa town in two simultaneous attacks that have since been blamed on remnants of Al Shabaab militia group.Last week, two police officers were killed in an explosion within Ifo Refugee Camp in Dadaab, Garissa. Gunmen have also targeted police stations in the area.

Al Shabaab attacks Kenya's security forces

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