Stay alert in fight against al Shabaab, Northeastern residents told

Northeastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno has called on residents to remain alert at all times in the war against terrorism.

He said nobody should rest on their laurels lest they get caught flatfooted by the militants.

Otieno said the fact that the region has remained peaceful for some time means that the collaboration between both the security apparatus and wananchi was bearing fruit noting that intelligence-led security operations were wining the war against al Shabaab.

“I can confidently say that the government is winning the war against the al shabaab militants through intelligence-led operations that seen close collaboration between our security officers and locals which has enabled us to decisively thwart enemy plans,” he said.

He was speaking during a meeting with National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) drawn from Ijara and Bodhai subcounties in Masalani town.

The RC directed chiefs and their assistants to help in gathering intelligence in order to be able to fully contain the security situation in the Northeastern region.

“The chiefs and assistant chiefs are very critical in security management because they are the eyes and ears of the government. The assistant chiefs have a capacity to know every individual in their areas of jurisdiction and be able to detect any criminal activity,” Otieno said.

"Security is very key in development and education of our children. We must secure this region so that our teachers can be able to carry on with their duties without having to look on their backs and that our business community can conduct business without fear," he added.

The RC further assured the public that the government is working around the clock to make the country safer.

“We are working very closely with the political leaders of this country, the members of the public and all other stakeholders who have been brought on-board to maintain the security and ensure that government projects continue uninterrupted,” he said.

Intelligence reports indicate that the al Shabaab militants have been sneaking through the porous border points from the neighboring Somalia and making makeshift camps where they operate to plan attacks.

This year, there has only been two reported cases of al Shabaab attacks in Mandera county.

The first incident happened in Bulla Hawa border crossing where the militants used a donkey to carry the explosives which killed an officer and injured two others manning the border.

The second incident occurred in Lafey where five officers were injured when the lorry they were travelling in ran over a Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

The officers were part of 70 others in a convoy that was headed to Mandera from Elwak.