By Cyrus Ombati
Kenya has amassed troops at its border with Somalia over what officials termed as imminent renewed clashes between the local Transitional Federation Government soldiers and al-shabaab militiamen.
Security officials patrolling the border reported sighting hundreds of al-shabaab gangs driving towards Dhobley town on Monday afternoon, indicating an attack was imminent.
"They have been driving from down the border towards Dhobley in lorries and there are fears of a war which may spill over to the Kenyan side," said a senior officer aware of the situation at the border.
Dhobley is just five kilometres from the Kenyan border, where the U.N. refugee agency said about 1,200 Somalis are crossing into Kenya on a daily basis, to go to the Dadaab refugee camp which currently hosts 440,000 refugees.
Witnesses said hundreds of Kenyan security forces backed by armoured vehicles and helicopters deployed at the porous frontier.
And even as commissioner of police Mathew Iteere announced the closure of the main border with Somalia, those on the ground said it is impossible given the nature of the area.
"The border is officially closed meaning no Kenyan official is allowed to allow trading in the area. We have put in place enough security there to ensure no criminals run to the country," he said.
Iteere added more personnel had been dispatched to the border with "clear instructions" on how to handle the situation henceforth.
He made the remarks after a trip to Lamu where two tourists were abducted by gunmen who escaped towards Somalia’s Kismayo area.
Somali troops, with logistical and intelligence support from Kenya and Ethiopia, regained control of towns along the border with both neighbours earlier this year, but the insurgents have vowed to strike back.
The militants in Somalia say they are holding two Kenyan soldiers Corporal Evans Mutoro and senior sergeant Jonathan Kipkosgei Kangogo who they captured in near Dhoobley border.
The group posted a message on the Internet saying they caught the two men while on a surveillance mission.
The duo were on a military re-supply mission in Wajir County in North Eastern Kenya near the border of the war torn Somalia on July 24.
Kenyan security personnel are questioning seven men believed to be fleeing TFG soldiers after they were found with more than 400 bullets, six rifles and 17 magazines in Wajir area, North Eastern province.
Police arrested the seven after they allegedly tried to commandeer a Kenyan bus from the main border at the weekend towards Wajir.
The soldiers were found with 442 bullets and six AK 47 rifles when police stopped them on Sunday morning.
