Construction of the 700km Kenya-Somalia border wall has resumed following two al Shabaab attacks that claimed 18 lives in just three weeks last month.
Six people were killed when militants attacked a residential building in Mandera town on October 6 and 12 others slain on October 25 in an attack on Bishaaro Lodge.
Mandera county commissioner Fredrick Shisia said the government will start building a 30km stretch of the wall in 75 days. The stretch in Mandera will extend from Border Point One to Kamor, a favourite entry point for al Shabaab.
“This fence will help us [deter] al Shabaab from crossing to and from Somalia. We will seal entry points, such as Kamor, which have been the main loopholes that al Shabaab have used to get into the country,” Shisia said.
He said the Kenya Defence Forces have taken full control of the project and will work with private contractors. “KDF will also oversee security during the construction of the project,” Shisia said.
The security border wall will have CCTV at strategic points and will consist of various obstacles, including a ditch and a patrol road for security agents.
Designated border points will have police posts and Kenya Revenue Authority officers, among other government officers.
