Kenyan Troops On High Alert Amid Security Threat From Al-Shabaab

More troops have been deployed along the Kenya-Somalia border to deal with Al Shabaab threats in Mandera County.

Mandera County commissioner Olaka Kutswa said additional military personnel were dispatched along the Mandera -Bulahawa border since it is prone to attacks posed by Al-Shabaab group.

Speaking during a press conference in Mandera town, he pointed out that the establishment of a border command centre along the borders has boosted surveillance.

Kutswa noted security has been fully restored in Mandera since the deployment of the forces in border areas.

“The security normalcy has been as a result of concerted efforts amongst all security agents. The region enjoys more security than the past two years where the Al-Shabaab killed dozens of innocent residents,” Kutswa said.

He urged the local residents to cooperate with police in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

“We are calling upon the residents to work with the security agencies to improve the security of the country,” he stated.

Al-Shabaab carried out several deadly attacks in the county which claimed lives of dozens including non-locals.

Kenya formally sent 4,660 soldiers to Somalia in October 2011 after incessant attacks and kidnappings of civilians by Al-Shabaab within its territory.

A year later, the UN Security Council gave Kenya the green light to join AMISOM, a decision that meant the treasury would not bear the full costs of the incursion.

Currently, Kenya has thousands of soldiers operating in southern Somalia.