Synopsis
Five local government officials from Kenya were kidnapped by al-Shabab militants in Mandera County, bordering Somalia. Police confirm the officials were ambushed while traveling for duties. The incident has prompted security operations as President Ruto plans a visit to the northern region this week.Key Takeaways
- Five Kenyan officials were abducted by al-Shabab.
- The incident occurred in Mandera County.
- Authorities suspect the officials were taken to Somalia.
- Security operations were initiated following the incident.
- Al-Shabab has shifted tactics to abductions and IEDs.
Nairobi, Feb 3 (NationPress) Five local government officials from Kenya were kidnapped on Monday during an ambush by al-Shabab militants in Mandera County, situated near the border with Somalia, as confirmed by police.
Mandera South Police Commander Julius Njeru verified the incident, indicating that the officials were en route from Wargadud to Elwak town for their duties when they were attacked and taken hostage.
Authorities and eyewitnesses suspect that the local officials, commonly referred to as chiefs, were transported into Somalia due to the proximity of the area to the primary Kenya-Somalia border.
Kenyan President William Ruto is anticipated to visit the northern region this week, which has initiated enhanced security measures.
Njeru stated that a significant operation was launched following the incident, as the attackers are believed to have escaped into Somalia.
It is thought that the assailants had prior knowledge of the officials' movements, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Mandera County has been a focal point for militants targeting local individuals and chiefs, with similar occurrences noted in previous years. In December of last year, a driver linked to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations was murdered by suspected al-Shabab militants during an attack in Mandera County.
Since the Kenyan military's incursion into Somalia in 2011, various attacks attributed to al-Shabab have persisted in Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa counties in northeastern Kenya, despite military achievements against the group in Somalia.
The northeastern region of Kenya has faced numerous grenade and gun assaults in recent years following the deployment of Kenyan troops to Somalia in 2011 to combat the al-Shabab militia.
Many individuals, primarily non-locals, have lost their lives as a result, with others suffering from permanent injuries.
The extremist organization has adapted its strategies, now focusing on abductions and deploying improvised explosive devices for attacks in parts of the Coast and northeastern regions, according to police.
