Mandera Governor Vows To Intensify War On Al-Shabaab

Mandera County will step up the fight against Al-Shabaab fighters who interrupted the region’s development, it’s governor said on Saturday.

The region on Kenya’s border with Somalia has been facing security threat posed by Al-Shabaab.

Speaking during Mashujaa  (Heroes) Day celebrations, Ali Roba pledged to work with the national government to fix the terrorism menace.

“Today we are faced with very a serious crisis that threatens our existence as a county,” Governor Ali Roba said.

Mr. Roba admitted that Al-Shabaab attacks led to mistrust among the Kenyans living his county saying the group set Kenyans against each other.

“While Al-Shabaab target locals inside Somalia, they are pitting Kenyans against each other,” he said.

Education and Economic sanctions

The governor said Al-Shabaab attacks in the region had led to socio-economic and education sufferings as the county lost many human resources in the hands of Al-Shabaab.

“The County is facing socio-economic and education sanctions and this can only be solved by defeating the terror,” he said.

Mandera North MP Mr. Bashir Abdullahi pledged his cooperation with the security agencies in fighting terrorism but warned them against targeting innocent locals.

“I am ready to rally for cooperation on security matters but we will not accept situations of our locals being killed or maimed by the security officers,” he said.

The remarks of the leaders come months after Kenya ordered the closure of quarries in the county following heinous attacks claimed by fighters.

Mandera is also facing understaff following the transfer of hundreds of health practitioners and teachers.

The workers were majority non-local were posted other parts of the country.