Al-Shabaab fighters.
At least 10 people among them police officers were killed last week by suspected al-Shabaab terrorists in separate attacks hours apart, in what appears to be a renewed wave of terror attacks.
Last Tuesday, five quarry workers were murdered in a dawn attack in Burabor area in Mandera. The workers were shot by gunmen believed to be al-Shabaab militia as they headed to work.
And later that evening, five officers from an elite unit were killed and others injured during an ambush by al-Shabaab inside Boni Forest.
Men flee Pandanguo in July 2014 following attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.
On February 3, ahead of a publicised tour of Northern Kenya by President Ruto, five chiefs were abducted in Mandera by al-Shabaab gunmen while travelling from Wargadud to Elwak town.
Mohammed Adawa, Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Noor Ibrahim Gabow and Abdi Suraw were abducted in Elwak, a day before President Ruto’s tour.
Held incommunicado
The administrators were moved to Somalia where they were held for two months.
After being held incommunicado, the chiefs were released on April 7 after intervention by elders from the region who travelled to Somalia for negotiations. It’s suspected a ransom was paid.
And in March, more than 100 heavily armed al-Shabaab invaded a village in Lamu and lectured residents for hours.
The gunmen raided Mangai village, gathered the locals in one place, peached and distributed dates (fruits) to them. Mangai is among the villages located in Boni Forest whose population is predominantly muslim. Residents were observing the Holy month of Ramadhan at the time hence the gesture to offer them dates.
Lieutenant-General Juma Mwinyikai addressing residents of Mangai Village in Boni Forest, Lamu County, during a security tour on January 26, 2023. On March 15, 2025, Al-Shabaab militants invaded Mangai Village, preaching to the locals before distributing dates as Ramadhan gifts.
Some locals said tens of militia armed with AK-47 rifles approaching their village that fateful evening. The armed men introduced themselves as al-Shabaab, one resident recounted.
The locals were warned of dire consequences should they report the matter to the police.
The National Police Service through spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, however, sought to downplay these raids, saying security agents are winning the war on terror.
“These are isolated cases that we are dealing with. We have managed to contain many other incidents. We are on top of things,” Mr Muchiri told Nation.
During the attack on quarry workers in Mandera, police officers who routinely provide security were not present.
Security escort
Mandera County Commissioner Henry Ochako said the workers had left Mandera town without security.
At around 6.30 am suspected al-Shaabab militia attacked the vehicle carrying the miners.
“The group departed earlier than usual and without the agreed security escort. We are now engaging the driver and quarry owner to understand why they left before time, which unfortunately exposed them to the attack,” Mr Ochako said.
The security chief said the quarry workers have an agreement with the police that they (workers) report to the site during the day and return to Mandera town before darkness.
This breach of security has been blamed for the attack
Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif assured residents that the police were investigating the attack.
“We are working with national security agencies to ensure justice prevails and that such incidents are prevented from happening in the future,” Mr Khalif said.
Kenya Defence Forces officers on patrol in Boni Forest, Lamu County. O
Security agencies have launched investigations and stepped-up patrols in the area following the attack.”
In the Lamu ambush, the officers from the elite Administration police unit Special Operations Group (SOG) were attacked on while on patrol inside Boni Forest.
Five others were injured in the attack that has now amplified the renewed attack by the terror group.
According to police reports on the incident, the officers were trailing the terror groups after intelligence reports indicated a planned attack.
Lamu Police Commissioner Wesley Koech said the officers were attacked as they responded to a security brief that over 70 members of the militia group had attempted to cross the Bodhei-Lamu border via Garissa.
Last Friday, security chiefs led by Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen , Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and DIG Eliud Lagat visited the injured officers at a Nairobi hospital.
