By CYRUS OMBATI

Garissa, Kenya: The number of suspects being held by police in the ongoing operation hit 460, with residents said to be fleeing the area in the wake of the crackdown.

Police said they were detaining the suspects, most of whom were aliens without papers, for screening.

Others held included refugees who are supposed to be in the larger Dadaab refugee camp.

Locals said among those arrested were local leaders, who tried to protest the arrest of their kin and supporters.

But North Eastern police boss Charlton Murithi said they were holding people they believe can help with them identify those behind a spate of attacks in the region.

“We will screen them and know their mission here. Most of them are refugees and they do not have papers to warrant their stay in the town,” said Murithi.

Illegal immigrants

The police operation that kicked off on Sunday night is aimed at stemming the attacks in the area  that have left dozens of people dead.

Police said the exercise is also aimed at seizing illegal immigrants repatriation.

More General Service and Administration Police’s Rapid Deployment Unit officers were deployed to the area Sunday night and are involved in the operation.

Witnesses say the town had been deserted as the officers intensify the swoop following an order by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Police involved in the operation mounted roadblocks on major roads as others visited hotels and residential houses looking for suspects and aliens.

The operation came a day after the local CID boss and nine other State officers, including customs officers and chiefs, were interdicted for being involved in illegal activities in the area that are behind the killings.

The Government has also pledged to offer a reward of between Sh50,000 and Sh100,000 to anyone who may provide information that will lead to arrest of criminals behind the killings.

Internal Security Permanent Secretary Mutea Iringo said the Government will start monitoring taxi and boda boda operations in the area and may limit the latter’s working hours to between 6 am and 6 pm.

Security agents will also closely monitor visitors booked in hotels and those renting residential houses, and enhance patrols and mount more roadblocks.

The attack on Thursday left ten people dead and several injured after a gunmen, who escaped,  opened fire on them.

Garissa and other local towns have been the target of terrorists, who target the public as well as security officers and other government officials.

Latest attack

Police officers, military personnel and Kenya Revenue Authority officials have in the past been killed in targeted attacks in Garissa.

Ten people were killed during the latest attack targeted at patrons at Kwa Chege Hotel on Thursday night.

The violence dates back to October 2011 when Kenya Defence Forces entered Somalia to fight the terrorist group Al Shabaab on their own land.

Officials point at a possibility that other interests were orchestrating the attacks under the guise of Al Shabaab.

The terrorist cell usually claims responsibility for its attacks.

The insecurity has also been attributed to possible business rivalry where some traders are struggling to control cartels that smuggle sugar worth millions of shillings from Somalia into the country.

Rogue police officers and custom officials have also been blamed for the escalating for the attacks.

Police boss David Kimaiyo said it was cruelty of the highest order to kill innocent people.

He also said it was sad that suspects were enjoying the protection of the residents, who complain of insecurity when the attackers turn against them.