Wajir joins Mandera in fight against terrorism to protect key sectors

Only days after two attacks left 64 people dead in Mandera, the town is suffering with health facilities in Mandera County closed down following resignation and desertion of duty by more than 50 medics. This follows recent attacks by suspected Al Shabaab militants that claimed 64 lives.

Speaking during Jamhuri Day celebrations in Mandera stadium on Friday, Mandera Governor Ali Roba said several schools might not reopen next year after more than 150 teachers requested for transfers despite assurance of their safety by the national government.

Mr Roba said the terrorists were deliberately targeting personnel working in essential sectors to sabotage the progress made by his administration in the last two years.

“The terrorists have killed teachers and medical officers in a targeted way by using religion as an excuse for executing innocent lives. However, their bigger agenda is to cripple the education, health and other essential sectors of our county, which they know hugely depends on workforce from other counties,” he said.

He said the attack on Koromey quarry site, which resulted in the death of 36 stone workers, has stalled construction of the first tarmac road in Mandera County.

He said other projects, including the construction of the county’s headquarters expected to be completed early next year, were also affected.

“The construction of the heavy capital projects such as Moi Stadium, the county hotel, the county headquarters and the county assembly have all been stopped because most of the workers were non-locals who fled after the two gruesome killings,” he said.

Al Shabaab targets

Mr Roba said the attackers targeted vital installations such as security camps, power stations, county government offices and the revenue toll stations to cripple the county’s operations and make the residents more vulnerable to radicalisation.

Over the past one and a half years alone, the terrorists raided Mandera police station twice and attacked the local Administration Police post three times.

“We had helplessly tolerated the killings of local people in Mandera over the years. We have lived with this hard and harsh reality. But we will not accept the killings of our brothers and sisters from other counties,” said Roba, adding that although the attacks were the work of al-Shabaab, there was a clear indication that the assailants enjoyed support of sympathisers within Mandera town.

Elsewhere in Wajir County, Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has pledged to pay salaries for the Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) to supplement the fight against terrorists who have been raiding the county in the last few months.

He said the KPR who are currently helping other security agencies in the battle against the insurgents lacked motivation, and promised that his administration would allocate money to pay them.

“My government will allocate money to pay Kenya Police Reservists who provide security at government institutions and installations such us the referral hospital. It is very clear that these people who are attacking installations like the local KPL (Kenya Power and Lighting)  station are disruptive elements who want to sabotage the progress made by the people of Wajir,” he said.

Abdullahi said the insecurity incidents targeting innocent Kenyans are aimed at causing intolerance amongst Kenyans of different faith and tribes.

“The criminal elements involved in these acts are here in Wajir. They live with us and each and every one of us must take responsibility by contributing to the efforts by the security agencies by unmasking them so that they face justice,” he said.

Rewards

The governor promised unspecified rewards to whoever provides accurate information to the government that will help in apprehending criminals behind the attacks.

“My administration will continue to create opportunities of training and empowering the youth as one way of dissuading them from involvement in any criminal activities,” he added.

He urged the religious leaders and community elders to strongly come out in condemning the barbaric violence meted out on a section of Kenyans by terrorists and ensure their followers are not brainwashed by jihadist ideologies.

Abdullahi urged people from other parts of the country not to leave the county, noting that his administration is working round the clock with the security agencies to ensure their safety.

The Governor said the County government had embarked on a programme to renovate all unused government quarters to offer civil servants from other areas who are working in Wajir town  consolidated accommodation, where they can be easily provided with security and also provide a means of transport to and from work stations.

“Our fellow residents of Wajir who come from other parts of this great nation, I would like to urge you not to feel threatened here. My government is working hard with safety approach and has put in place measures to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people targeted by these terrorists,” he said.

Abdullahi said despite the county successfully drilling more 35 boreholes to alleviate water needs of the county residents, many people were denied the precious commodity by cartels that took over the running of boreholes and started levying fees illegally.