•Apart from the rifles, the seized Improvised Explosive Device assembly components and logistical support supplies.
•Suspect who had the donkey was shot and killed as the animal with the cart were scrambled.
Image: STEPHEN ASTARIKO
A suspected al Shabaab terrorist was on Monday killed as police intercepted a donkey carrying two AK 47 rifles, bomb making materials at the main border in Liboi, Garissa County.
Officers in the operation said the suspect who had the donkey was shot and killed as the animal with the cart were scrambled.
"They were headed for a mission in the area when they were intercepted," police said.
Apart from the rifles, police also recovered seized Improvised Explosive Device assembly components and logistical support supplies.
Police say the terrorist group has a donkey unit that helps them in their operations.
North Eastern regional commissioner Nicodemus Ndalana said they are yet to know the intended destination of the weapons and explosives.
He said they have deployed more police officers in the region to address rising cases of terror related attacks.
“All we want is the support of the locals who we suspect could know what is happening. These terrorists cannot come and plant explosives here without locals knowing it,” he said.
This was the latest case of al Shabaab donkey assisted unit to be intercepted by police as they ferried weapons to Kenya.
The terrorists have been targeting security installations in the area in a series of incidents destroying them.
This has affected among others the education sector forcing tens of teachers who are non-locals to flee.
The border region has borne the brunt of repeated attacks from the militants who are at times aided by locals.
Al Shabaab insurgents have been attacking places in the region especially in Mandera and Garissa after breaching security zones, which left dozens of civilians and security officials dead or wounded.
They have been planting explosives on the routes used by the security agencies and attacking them.
On June 23, the terrorists struck in Mandera killing one Kenya police reservist, injured two before burning down two tractors at a dam site.
The attacks indicate the militants are now back in the area and roaming with impunity. This has grounded many operations in the expansive county for the last two weeks, which has left at least 15 people dead.
The incidents come in the wake of a campaign mounted in the area by governor Ali Roba, EAC Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed, local senator and a host of Members of Parliament against Al-Shabaab.
The leaders said Al-shabaab remains the greatest enemy of development in Mandera and urged the locals to help security agents to tame them.